Thieves and your VIN number

The_Ogre

The_Ogre

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Got this in a mail a few minutes ago.

It's probably not true (?), but what do the MyBB experts say?

Hi All.

Please share this information with your family, friends and clients…

VIN NUMBER - WARNING!

So simple, I would have NEVER thought about someone doing that!!!!
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, GM & Ford 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 vehicle.
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 car thief
steals another car or truck.

USE IT OR DON’T USE IT!
Click to expand...
 
Scaremongering.

The key also needs to be coded to your vehicle. To do this, the key and car need to be connected to a specialised computer which is in turn connected to the manufacturer's systems through the 'net. Even before you get to that point, most dealerships will ask for proof of ownership before they even place the order for a key.

It's this type of useless **** that's clogging up the world's email channels. :mad:
 
Haha.. I needed a new key after I got drunk and lost one.

It took 3 days to order; and when it arrived it had to be programmed at the dealers with the car.

Good luck to any thief who tries this... as it also cost me about R800.
 
Not even considering the fact that your VIN is printed on the license disc as well, and anyone who knows someone at a licensing or post office can get it from your registration number.

There are many, many things more worthy of fretting over.
 
Even when my Kia Sportage went in for an ECU Software upgrade, they asked for both keys to reprogram to the car....
 
I think this technique does not refer to the chipped keys, more the older ones which you can make a duplicate of at a locksmith.
 
HapticSimian said:
A locksmith that'd need your original key to make the duplicate from? :p
Click to expand...
I was just trying to point out which one I'm referring to.

I know I kept losing my old chitti golf's after a heavy night. THen I'd just take the spare and go make a copy :D
 
grav80 said:
I was just trying to point out which one I'm referring to.

I know I kept losing my old chitti golf's after a heavy night. THen I'd just take the spare and go make a copy :D
Click to expand...

uhm if the locksmith does not have a copy or you dont...he googles your vin and gets a printout to make a copy of :whistle:
 
VIN Number is also on the license disc....cant exactly block that out.
 
Can you please assisst me i am about to purchase my son a secondhand Opel Corsa i have the VIN number but i need to check if this vehicle is not stolen.Is there any website i can use to check the VIN number for me.
 
JoeJoeJoe said:
Can you please assisst me i am about to purchase my son a secondhand Opel Corsa i have the VIN number but i need to check if this vehicle is not stolen.Is there any website i can use to check the VIN number for me.
Click to expand...

You used to be able to request a Vehicle Check here, but I no longer see the option to do anything more than get a value report.

You could contact TransUnion, or ask the selling dealer (if applicable) to show you a copy of the vehicle's TransUnion report.
 
For my Golf 4 back in 2005, VW dealer wanted R1100, copy of ID, copy of registration documents and the spare key before ordering my second key.
 
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