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llbbl
03-17-2005, 11:05 AM
Subject: Vin #'s and car thieves
Thought I'd pass this on - who knows when some thief might want a car just like one you own, or like mine: seats covered in dog hair and windows with nose prints?

Vin #'s and car thieves

Hmmmm!! You would think the Dealerships would require verification first. 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#. I didn't believe the e-mail, so I called a friend at Chrysler Dodge and pretended I had lost my keys. They told me to just bring in the VIN #, and they would cut me one on the spot, and I could order the keyless device if I 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 don't believe it? 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 inside the windshield 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. I slipped a 3 x 5 card over my car's VIN #.

llbbl
03-17-2005, 11:06 AM
I got this email. do you think it is true that the dealerships don't require any more verifcation than the VIN#?

k2
03-17-2005, 12:21 PM
that'd be kinda sad. side note, my ignition key opens all gmc sierra's driver door before a certain date. one day i watched a guy pull up and park beside my truck at a gas station (checking the air in my tires), locks himself out by accident; he looks at my truck and asks me to open his door with my key. it worked.

Forsaken
03-17-2005, 11:19 PM
Ummm I don't think it would be that simple. I have an 01 jetta that has a special key made. I have one backup. If I lose both, they have to recut the key from germany. But on top of that I have to provide proof that the car is in my name. If I cannot provide proof of registration than I am SOL. Most dealerships would need the person who bought the vehicle to provide some level of proof besides just a VIN...

senoryoshio
03-17-2005, 11:52 PM
I've always wondered why some folks quote snopes as an infallible resource; I don't, but here's their article on just this topic.

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

ECA
03-18-2005, 01:59 AM
WELL,
It can be done, but IF you got a friend in the dealership, why not get there KEY listing...And cut your own..

ALOT of new keys have a Chip in them, so this cant be done and the KEY costs ALOT.. you can only get replacement from the DEALER you bought it from, and I would HOPE they know you, or have a pic of you.

Want the TRUTH?? Most LOCKs are only set to use 1-2-3 Pins to UNLOCK..Dont matter if there are 6-8 pins inside the tumbler.. SO, about 16-32 different keys is ALL you need to open most locks..
And I WONT go into MASTER keys... where there are 3, that will open any lock..1 of the 3 will open it..

Best trick I KNOW is just to use a TOW truck, and pick up the car..And GO..
ALSO, the PARTs are worth more then the CAR is..

And REMOTE, Car alarms are funny...Think how easy ot would be to use an ociliscope/freq analyzer to pick up the frequency(s) and repeat them to the car...
Even if I have to follow you around a few days, I will catch them..

llbbl
03-18-2005, 06:59 AM
i didn't have a chance to che3ck snopes. thanks yoshio.

ECA
03-18-2005, 11:11 AM
Want the GREAt part of a cheap alarm??
They dont work if you cut the power...clip the battery cable and away you go...
Teach a short, small person to find the Starter, and CUT it..

k2
03-18-2005, 11:29 AM
that's why hood pins exist. if you have an alarm that sends a notice to your keychain then you know to go kick some ass.

ECA
03-18-2005, 12:06 PM
And the BEST, alarm/security is to have an AUTO shutoff to the gas pump.
WONt start with out it.. evan a bypass switch will kill the gas pump..
then as one person pointed out to me...FULL hydraulics on the shocks, is great..DROp that thing FLAT on the ground, and watch them TRY to move it...SPARKS...

but if ALL they want is the radio...WHY pay for high end equipment, if ya cant hear the alarm or shoot the person..
I even had someone break into my Honda civic, for the radio...WhY?? for $5 worth of radio..

k2
03-18-2005, 12:21 PM
my eclipse deck is useless if it's din is disconnected and you don't have the (out of print) cd i used to lock it. it can also be tracked by eclipse if i report it stolen. :)

ECA
03-18-2005, 05:21 PM
And if you got a Power failure for about 1 day, YOU DONT have a radio..
Until you find that CD.

Wendy
03-18-2005, 07:43 PM
I got this email. do you think it is true that the dealerships don't require any more verifcation than the VIN#?

It's ture! When my friends locked their keys inside their cars, they can get the key with their cars' vin number. However, I know some dealerships require ID and insurance receipt.

nightowl
03-18-2005, 08:16 PM
Yea you should have to provide proof that the car is yours. If my car got ripped off that way I'd sue the dealer. But putting some masking tape over the number is a good idea, just in case.........Jim :cool:

ECA
03-18-2005, 10:50 PM
I wouldnt use Plastic electical tape... It has a tendancy to Shrink and shape to whats on it.. Uss the Cloth based tapes, and the GOOD stuff, it sticks longest and best.

nightowl
03-18-2005, 11:28 PM
i'll have to do that............jim