redsled00

This was taken from a e-mail sent to me at work. Hope this helps some people out.

Apparently car thieves have yet
> again found a way around the system and 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 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 dash board. 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.
>
> Feel free to forward this on before some other car thief steals
> another car or truck like this.
>
> Unbelievable!
>
>
>
>
> Respectfully Submitted,

Dr. Gonzo

can they really get a key without being the owner of the car? That doesn't make any sense. I'm not trying to say you're wrong, but that's too good to be true.

Noe Kozz

I would think the dealership would need some sort of physical proof besides a vin # written down on a piece of paper or the actual car being there with you.

Spade

Try it and find out.

If you bug them enough and look decent (i.e. Properly dressed) they'll give in.

Remeber it is only a person behind the counter...people are weak.

kommon_sense

but think about it. how would the actual car be there with you if you didn't have a key for it? There are a lot of legitimate reasons why someone would need to have a key made, but the car isn't in their name, or is someplace else. Kinda one of those things that is hard to come up with a good solution. Although the tape over the VIN sounds like a good idea.

Si

At Lexus there's been so many times when someone comes to the counter and asks me for a copy of his key and just gives me a vin#, but we need the vin#,title and drivers license of the owner. When I ask them for that they never come back. Hope most dealers do the same thing.

SlippylesKB

That is pretty damn scar. But isn't it illegal to cover the VIN number?

Spade

Yup.

kikicamacho

I used to work for General Motors Roadside Assistance and any flunkie Customer Service rep there has access to key codes dating back to 1979 for most GMs.

91SIvic

i've covered my VIN # on my dash.

Ya@inlinePRO

can't you put like a index card or something on the dash to cover it? i dont' look at my vin that much, so i don't remember if you can access it from inside or not. as for the key, its not just that they will break it, its money too...there are shady people, and with the money some people offer, they can turn anyone. life sucks

MLogan

I think the car manufacturers are stealing all the cars and reusing parts. then they charge everyone for a new car. Is it really illegal to cover the VIN?

JSPECEX

me to

pdiggitydogg

yeah they can do this
my stupid sister lost her keys once and I went to the dealership and got a new set from the vin...they didnt ask for any infomation about who I was or anything...
pretty scary stuff...I think it'd be safe to cover up the vin or get one of those pedal lock things

BauleyCivic

autolock, club, kill switches, rott weilers are all your friends

sshaikh01

Yep.

Thats exactly how the thieves stole my brother in-laws 98 Camaro SS.


and the dealorships are F*ck*d up.
They don't check for ****, when you give them the vin.

AzntaggeR

har har har, but they don't have the vin number to my autolock

Campee

Is the auto-lock considered decent?

mantic6t9

My honda dealer cut me a key with just the VIN#. I made a post about this a long time ago.

poison

funny when they don't have my steering wheel

and vin is covered.

mantic6t9

You guys can just throw a note book up there to cover the vin, don't make it look so abvious that you're trying to hide it.

sean

in nj, the vin # is also on your inspection sticker, so covering the vin on the car doesnt do ****.

Chris y0!

meh, im not too worried about key copies. you have to be an electrical engineer to steal my car without a tow truck

mantic6t9

Another thing you could do is have your locks and egnition changed. That way even if the do cut a key it wont fit anything on the car.

sammysnakes

i've had a sticker over my VIN # for almost a year now and i've been pulled over atleast three times. whenever the cop asks why it's covered, i just explain and they've all been cool about it.

if you don't want to use tape or a sticker, than just put a piece of paper over it when you park.

i am a firm believer of covering the VIN #.