lonerider2002

VIN NUMBER - WARNING

Here is INFO worth the price of your car....

WHAT WILL the car thieves THINK OF NEXT?
The car thieves peer through the windshield of your car or vehicle, 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 this e-mail, so I called 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 dark tape (electrical tape, duct tape or medical tape) across the VIN Number Metal Label located on the dashboard.

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 3x5 card over my VIN
NUMBER. PASS THIS INFORMATION ON TO ALL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS NOW!!!!!

My sister sent this e-mail to me and it got me to thinking if this is really possible. It's saturday afternoon (and snowing like crazy) and I can't get in touch with any dealership but I figured I'd get this out to all of you and if it saves one member from the frustration of having their beloved Vette stolen then it's worth the time.

zachaeous

I do not know about all dealerships but the Chevrolet store in my hometown in Illinois requires the registration to the vehicle and also a drivers license to cut a key from the VIN number. This was started because of the exact situation you described.

lonerider2002

I would think that would be required from ALL dealerships but the old adage "you can never be too careful" applies here & I plan on covering up my vin once this foot of snow is gone and she can come out from under her cover.

jhopper408

Wow I've never thought of that! I bet the dealers don't even ask for ID. But they sure should.

Vetteman Jack

It won't happen around here - the dealers do require proof of registration/ownership and a DL to make a key. I would think dealerships would open themselves to a lawsuit if they cut a key without knowing it was for the legal owner of the car. But, stranger things have happened.

concour77

Not sure covering up the VIN will offer much protection if is that easy to get a key made. Is fairly easy to get VIN...Carfax will run a report from the license plate number and provide the VIN in the report.
.

Not4spd

Needed an extra key to a previous vehicle. Went to the chevy house but they required proof of ownership before they would cut me a new key(didn't have the other one on me). I don't see how any other car would be different.

CQRT

Title/registration and DL generally required . . . .

MAC5

I have had dealerships require Drivers license, registration and or title, and proof of insurance.

Mickeyrx70

BOUT X

I read this post this morning so I went over to my neighbors house told him about it he has a new SRT & Chevy Truck got his vin. #'s So around noon GF and I went out to run errands I was telling her about this and said I wonder if it can be done. I stopped at Chevy Dealer they needed all kinds of proof to get one. Then we went to Dodge and crazy enough guy was willing to cut me keys and sell me FOB With no info required I then asked if thier was a manager around and told him what I was doing and that the car was not mine. He said that it was not thier policy to check info I asked why not he then was done talking to me so I will contact the GM at the dealership on Monday and share with him what I was doing.

Pops

Black 02

Email forwards are fun.

lonerider2002

I plan on checking with the two main GM dealerships here as well on Mon just to see what kind of response I get--will post results later that day. It would be interesting to see what other GM dealer policies are concerning this.

lonerider2002

Here's a little clarification on this subject---

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings...vVa97zmSIVc.03

Choreo

I would be more worried about "inside" jobs from employees at a Dealership who have all that info and access.

laurent_zo6

Rather than copy VIN to make duplicate keys, crooks use those VINS on stolen automobiles. They install the stolen VINS on stolen automobiles then can use all types of crooked schemes to make money. They can sell same type of car with doctored VIN or report accident and pocket insurance money for example.

mike5511

Yeah but you know the rules aren't always followed no matter what you are doing. One little crook in the parts department could provide keys for some easy side money.

4XLR8N

A number of years ago, GM implemented a process for all GM dealers to follow that makes it impossible to do what the OP described. If the dealer follows the process, nobody can simply get some keys cut for a GM vehicle with nothing more than a VIN. Reprinted invoices will not even carry the key code info - only the original invoice to the original dealer who ordered the car has key code info.

GM implemented this process to help reduce vehicle theft, particularly theft from dealer inventory. There was no law requiring this change in policy - just a recognition of the need to do something.

It can be a PITA in certain circumstances for legit customers who need new keys cut. Once again, thank you a**hole criminals for making things more difficult for the rest of us.

I do not know whether other OEMs have implemented similar processes or not. Based upon the above, it would appear that Fiat/Chrysler has not.

Bud Doggin

Because thief's need keys to steal cars...... lol

4XLR8N

Of course thieves don't need keys to steal cars - but GM's position was (and is) why hand them a key to steal cars?