jonk

New, Easy Way To Steal Cars?
11-5-3


Note - This is in circulation on the net and seems worthy of attention. -ed

It seems that car thieves have found 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 number from the label on the dash, go to the local car dealership and request a duplicate key based on the VIN number. The car dealer's parts dept will make a duplicate key from the VIN number 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 to 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 label located on the dash board. By law, you cannot remove the VIN number, but you can cover it so it can't be viewed through the windshield by a car thief.

Is It True? Snopes says... maybe!

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

This came from a US site. Any comments? Would it really be that easy over here in Oz?

Aaron_EF8

Might be true, but as far as I know, Falcons don't have the VIN number there. VT-onwards commodores do, and whenever you go to the drags, you might notice that all of them are covered, because the dealers have been known to drop past and void all warranties on the cars.

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117rwKw - 15.47@89.9MPH

EFFalcon

its under the bonnet on ours isnt it?

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jonk

It was the VN onwards that displayed the VIN...no matter, just wonder if any dealership workers might know if this can still happen to any unsuspecting car owners?

Fat F100

I know for a fact that on the VY commodore(it's a company car, alright) you need to have the vehicle present so that they can programme the key to operate off the cars computer. The mechanic(or are they Technicians now?) also needs the vehicles computer security number off the car.

I know because I just had to replace a lost key for this vehicle.

Sounds like B.S. to me.

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Jamie XR6

You have to do the same thing with a Falcon. You can only program the key with another key and you do that via the rear demister button.

You also have to provide proof of ownership to Ford before they hand over the key.

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Timmeh

The VIN is displayed in that same spot on the Ford Focus, however...

You get given two keys with the Focus, one programs the other. If for some reason you lose both, there are extensive checks on the car before they will give you new keys, and great personal cost. Something like an arm and a leg, I was quoted.

Cheers...... Tim

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hoon69

dunno its so much easier the old fashion way(no i dont knwo either)why would a thief show his ugly mug in a dealership and get seen (facial) and risk being caught before taking the car,some bold and cunning thieves might (in oz) but these days the TOOLS they got you can break into cars without damaging to much..

i hope fealerships dont make it to easy for em to obtain keys.

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cars are a lethal weapon,your not invinsible when you get into one,and no matter how much skill you think you have,you are never in control you are always on the edge of death it may not happen today but if you keep driving like you do,you too will end up dead!

Aussie Pete

The VIN is also on the rego label.....

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Night_Lurker

Well my rego label has worn off (dealer hand wrote it) so i am safe for a couple of weeks :)

Do they really need to display that kind of info on the sticker...why not just the rego?? COPS would have the VIN already in their database and if they needed to see it again they could look under the bonnet??

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