Good Advice

amckid6970

I got this in an e-mail from my dad a few days ago. Even if it wasn't true what would it hurt? :-| What do you think BREK? It seems that car thieves have found yet another way to steal your car or truck without any effort at all. The car thieves peer through the windshield of your car or truck, write down the VIN # from the label on the dash, go to the local car dealership and request a duplicate key based on the VIN #. My friend didn't believe this e-mail, so she called Chrysler-Dodge and pretended she had lost her keys. They told her to just bring in the VIN #, and they would cut her one on the spot, and she could order the keyless device if she wanted. The Car Dealer's Parts Department will make a duplicate key from the VIN #, and collect payment from the thief who will return to your car. He doesn't have to break in, do any damage to the vehicle, or draw attention to himself. All he has to do is walk up to your car, insert the key and off he goes to a local Chop Shop with your vehicle. You need to believe ... It IS that easy. To avoid this from happening to you, simply put some tape (electrical tape, duct tape or medical tape) across the VIN Metal Label located on the dash board. By law, you cannot remove the VIN, but you can cover it so it can't be viewed through the windshield by a car thief. I urge you to forward this to your friends before some other car thief steals another car or truck. You can also slip a 3 x 5 card or small piece of paper over the VIN NUMBER (if you think tape is too permanent).

tufcj

A little more info:

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/vin.asp

It really depends on the dealership. My mom's car has a key with a chip in it. The dealership she uses wouldn't even duplicate the original she had in her hand until she produced the registration, and they verified the info against the car and existing key.

It doesn't mean it couldn't happen, it did in "Gone in 60 Seconds" by paying off the guy behind the counter. But it is more difficult than that article leads you to believe. I would think any reputable dealer would check.

Bob
tufcj

BREK

Well many years ago (young and stupid) a friend of mine (at the time) actually did that and it worked. Now by law (I think) a dealership is not allowed to cut a duplicate key without having proof of ownership ie title or insurance card with your name and vehicle info on it and also photo identification. Also if the vehicle has a computerchip key it won't do any good to cut one and not have it programmed, the car will start and quit approximately 4 or 5 times then the car will disable it's self for something like 5 hours before a properly programmed key will work. I don't know how it is at other dealerships, but here if I cut a key without all of the proper paperwork I would most likely get fired on the spot.

amckid6970

I thought it would take more effort to do than just walking up and asking for a new key. But on the same note, with the abundance of fake ID's and the like I'll still play it safe and cover up the VIN. I guess I'm a little paranoid. :shock: Either way you take it, it's good to know this kinda stuff. :mrgreen:

BREK

very good 2 know info. I think that I'll be covering the vin#'s on my vehicles also.

jeepsr4ever

BREK wrote
very good 2 know info. I think that I'll be covering the vin#'s on my vehicles also.

Like when the cops pull you over? :mrgreen:

BREK

i'm like james bond man, the cop's can't catch me :-| oh wait my last ticket tells me they can #-o

Mudrat

Hummm .... Jeep, no top, no chip, I'll still opt for the hidden cut-out switch ... :oops:

mrtazwrench

there was a trailer for one of the twin city news stations to have a story that was what they called "ID theft for cars" I searched their website, but could not find the story, it was on fox 9 if maybe one of you local guys might have seen it last week, I wanted to see it, but just didn't happen.

dbesade

If someone can even read the VIN on my Jeep tey are doin' alright in my book. But seriously with no doors and just a Bikini top for most of the year, I'm opting for a hidden cutoff switch myself. -Dave

tarior

There's a sweet Rambler down the street..... now where the hell is nearest Rambler dealer? 8)