this can't be true...
04-01-2008 | 01:18 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Cruisin'
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: North Shore - Boston, MA
this can't be true...
I got this in an e-mail from a co-worker this morning... but I find it hard to believe, since it would make any car on the road easy to break into...
"you tho't you were inVINcible
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 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 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 an! y 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. " (End of Email)
I'll admit... I have looked at the VIN# on the dash through the windshield and wondered if that could be used against me... but this seems ridiculous...
"you tho't you were inVINcible
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 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 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 an! y 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. " (End of Email)
I'll admit... I have looked at the VIN# on the dash through the windshield and wondered if that could be used against me... but this seems ridiculous...
04-01-2008 | 01:39 PM
#3
Fahrvergnügen'd
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,494
Likes: 1,569
From: Maryland
From Snopes.com
Claim: Thieves can steal cars by using VINs to obtain duplicate keys through auto dealerships.
Status: Multiple:
* Some thieves have stolen cars by using VINs to obtain duplicate keys through auto dealerships: True.
* Obscuring you car's VIN is a good way to decrease the likelihood that your automobile will be stolen: False
Status: Multiple:
* Some thieves have stolen cars by using VINs to obtain duplicate keys through auto dealerships: True.
* Obscuring you car's VIN is a good way to decrease the likelihood that your automobile will be stolen: False
Trending Topics
04-01-2008 | 02:34 PM
#9
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (2)
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 27,921
Likes: 1,080
From: where the weather suits my clothes
If it was truly that easy, 1 of two things would happen:
1) there would be mass hysteria about the number of stolen cars
2) Auto makers or aftermarket companies would have produced something to prevent it.
Bottom line, hiding your VIN number will only stop kids from stealing your car.
1) there would be mass hysteria about the number of stolen cars
2) Auto makers or aftermarket companies would have produced something to prevent it.
Bottom line, hiding your VIN number will only stop kids from stealing your car.
04-01-2008 | 03:14 PM
#10
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,823
Likes: 52
From: SW Connecticut
Originally Posted by NSXNEXT
If it was truly that easy, 1 of two things would happen:
1) there would be mass hysteria about the number of stolen cars
2) Auto makers or aftermarket companies would have produced something to prevent it.
Bottom line, hiding your VIN number will only stop kids from stealing your car.
1) there would be mass hysteria about the number of stolen cars
2) Auto makers or aftermarket companies would have produced something to prevent it.
Bottom line, hiding your VIN number will only stop kids from stealing your car.
04-01-2008 | 03:39 PM
#13
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (2)
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 27,921
Likes: 1,080
From: where the weather suits my clothes
Originally Posted by FiftyFive
And that 2 seconds of work is not worth the hassle?
Did you fail to read 1 and 2? I've never ever heard of anyone having their car stolen by obtaining a set of keys from the dealer.
04-01-2008 | 05:01 PM
#18
teh Senior Instigator
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 44,094
Likes: 980
From: Huntington Beach, CA -> Ashburn, VA -> Raleigh, NC -> Walnut Creek, CA
Originally Posted by I Go To Costco
^^some really stupid people might listen to you guys thinking you're serious.... bad idea
why, I think it's brilliant!!
04-01-2008 | 05:11 PM
#19
Senior Moderator
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 17,905
Likes: 1,675
Originally Posted by NSXNEXT
Not the point...
Did you fail to read 1 and 2? I've never ever heard of anyone having their car stolen by obtaining a set of keys from the dealer.
Did you fail to read 1 and 2? I've never ever heard of anyone having their car stolen by obtaining a set of keys from the dealer.
04-01-2008 | 05:25 PM
#20
The sizzle in the Steak
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 71,436
Likes: 1,877
From: Southern California
Originally Posted by I Go To Costco
^^some really stupid people might listen to you guys thinking you're serious.... bad idea
04-01-2008 | 07:34 PM
#24
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Likes: 3,489
Originally Posted by Moog-Type-S
nothing wrong with scatching off vins......all my firearms come with teh digits filed off
If htis is all sarcasm then it isn't coming through so well.... my brain is fried
04-01-2008 | 08:51 PM
#29
04-01-2008 | 11:54 PM
#31
My dad asked his co-worker to get him some extra keys for his old Jeep (company vehicle). The guy got his VIN, took it to Jeep and had 3 keys made no questions asked. I never actually thought of this before now though.
04-02-2008 | 12:00 PM
#33
Originally Posted by taz98spin
Can they go to any dealer and get a key?
Or do they have to go to the dealer that you bought the car from???
Or do they have to go to the dealer that you bought the car from???
04-02-2008 | 01:01 PM
#34
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 0
From: Cary, NC
Originally Posted by CL-Slick
I think any dealer beacuse his Jeep was bought in Birmingham, and the guy went to the local dealer to get the keys made.
That sucks... better cover up my VIN number now
04-11-2008 | 08:38 AM
#37
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,823
Likes: 52
From: SW Connecticut
Originally Posted by NSXNEXT
Not the point...
Did you fail to read 1 and 2? I've never ever heard of anyone having their car stolen by obtaining a set of keys from the dealer.
Did you fail to read 1 and 2? I've never ever heard of anyone having their car stolen by obtaining a set of keys from the dealer.
04-11-2008 | 10:05 AM
#39
Senior Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 81,383
Likes: 3,063
From: Appleton WI
My grand parents were in town from florida and lost their keys. I went to the dealer with the vin (couldnt get in the car to get registration) and they made me 2 new keys on the spot. they just asked for my name, i didnt have to show an ID or any thing.
04-11-2008 | 10:33 AM
#40
Senior Moderator
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,085
Likes: 740
From: Brooklyn, NY USA
Somebody has seen "Gone in 60 Seconds" one time too many....
A lot of today's keys come with key codes (4-5 digit number), and you need this key code along with proof of identification and a registration to show to the dealer before even getting a copy of a key. The only 2 companies that I know of that you can order a key and they work without any programming at all is BMW and Mercedes. I have ordered keys for my customers and got them with no problem. Then again, the dealer knows me, and knows who the car was sold to, so any proof or identification was not necessary.
A lot of today's keys come with key codes (4-5 digit number), and you need this key code along with proof of identification and a registration to show to the dealer before even getting a copy of a key. The only 2 companies that I know of that you can order a key and they work without any programming at all is BMW and Mercedes. I have ordered keys for my customers and got them with no problem. Then again, the dealer knows me, and knows who the car was sold to, so any proof or identification was not necessary.