anti car theft advice

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

sorry about the cut and paste but,,,

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 this 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 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.

Tishabet · 02-08-2005, 12:46 PM

Since you're in CA, I can look up your VIN just by using your license plate.
http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/vehtests/pubtstqry.aspx

RickM · RickM's Garage

Any dealership that makes/orders duplicate keys without checking pic ID and registration, insurance or title should be out of business.

The people that have most access to these docs are valets, car wash satff and mechanics. Know who you're dealing with. Also, keep your credentials in your wallet and not in the glove compartment...if possible.

Hugh R · 02-08-2005, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tshabet
Since you're in CA, I can look up your VIN just by using your license plate.
http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/vehtests/pubtstqry.aspx

It works!! Un friggin believable. You don't even have to walk up to the car and get the VIN! Just note the license plate number from across the street.

ubiquity0 · 02-08-2005, 05:51 PM

When I ordered a new key for the 911 I had to bring in the title under my name.

I would think it must be illegal for a dealership to provide a key to someone without checking that they own the vehicle. If a car was stolen in this way & it was discovered the dealership gave the thief a key then couldn't criminal charges be brought against them? At the very least they could be sued for the loss they caused.

Moneyguy1 · 02-08-2005, 11:11 PM

HOWEVER:

The simple expedient of rekeying your doors (all three) renders this approach useless. Takes just a couple of hours or less. I have done quite a few....

RoninLB · 02-10-2005, 04:21 AM

fwiw, try typing your phone number, with dashes, into google to find the #'s home address and a link to the address in mapquest. So far it doesn't work with unlisted #'s around here.

elwood-914 · 02-10-2005, 05:24 AM

They did a segment on 20/20 or 60 minutes, I forget. It was a couple of years ago, but they had a pretty reporter do just that. Some dealers would not make her a key without a pink but when she sweet talked a couple of guys, they did it no problem. When confronted on the camera on why they did what they did, one of them refused comment.