silverhawk Loc: Born a West Virginian, Living in Virginia

Apparently car thieves have yet again found a way around the system and steal your car or truck without hardly any effort at all.

The car thieves peer through the windshield of your car or truck, write down the VIN number from the label
on the dash, go into the local dealership for that car brand and request a duplicate key for it from the VIN number.

Car dealerships make up a duplicate key from the VIN number, collect payment from the 'customer', who's really a would-be car thief, for making up the duplicate key -- the car thief goes back to your vehicle, inserts the key they've just gotten and off they drive with your car or truck.

They don't have to break in, don't have to damage the vehicle and draw no attention to themselves as all they have to do is to walk up to your car, insert the key and off they go to their chop shop with your vehicle!!!

Can you believe it? To avoid this from happening to you, simply put opaque tape (like a strip of electrical tape, duct tape or medical tape) across the VIN label located on the dashboard.

You can't remove the VIN number legally under most state laws, so cover it so that it can't be viewed through the windshield by a car thief.

Anyway, feel free to forward this on before some other car thief steals another car or truck like this.

Unbelievable!

Frank T Loc: New York, NY

That idea may prevent car theft but it's a violation of the Vehicle and Traffic Law in most states.
Your dealership shouldn't be duplicating keys without a copy of the registration and photo ID and doing so also is also a violation.

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

I keep mine covored with a magazine or notebook or a few papers at all times. Hats work too.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

My car has theft prevention devices that are activated/deactivated by the remote. The key itself does not override the protection. I would be surprised if most other cars don't have the same thing.

wrr Loc: SEK

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

dbmaxwell Loc: Mogadore, Ohio

Most cars have a smart key anymore. They have to be programmed before the vehicle accepts the key. The procedure is simple but you either have two keys already working or a rather expensive module that plugs into the computer port under the dash. A regular consumer code reader doesn't work, it has to be a STAR unit (for Ford) or another pricey unit. There are much easier ways to do it than that.

sudzmonn Loc: here , there , everywhere

I have 2 keys , both have to be programed . Key #1 and key #2 . It will take 2 weeks to order these keys and I know it cost $2oo ! My dealer told me " dan't loose them, you'll be sorry " lol .

sudzmonn Loc: here , there , everywhere

don't

silverhawk Loc: Born a West Virginian, Living in Virginia

You're all absolutely correct with your responses, thanks to all for them.....
and, Snopes.com does explain my article as noted here....check it for the actual information.... :thumbup:

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

twindad Loc: SW Michigan, frolicking in the snow.

lose

dbmaxwell Loc: Mogadore, Ohio

I get mine from EBay, 16.00 each. Comes in a Ford back with the proper part number. Worth it to buy a couple while you have a pair and program a couple of keys to stash

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

And if you lose one Doc ...... and you decide to purchase replacement key ..... #1 the original key has to re-programed at the same time as the duplicate and #2. the vehicle has to be plugged into their computer at the time of programing.

So what the op is citing will only work with very few older vehicles anyway.

I think a rollback is quicker and that's why most States require Tow Trucks for Hire must be licensed, drivers are required to have pics and fingerprints on file to be licensed.

silverhawk Loc: Born a West Virginian, Living in Virginia

Too late, ~~ :mrgreen: ~~ I have already lost one of mine, thanks EVERYONE for you enlightening responses... :thumbup:

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

Hum ....

silverhawk Loc: Born a West Virginian, Living in Virginia

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