Car Thieves using VIN Numbers to Steal Cars

[Admin]

When I heard about this, I thought it was another one of those internet hoaxes, but apparently it has happened.

A State Farm Representative sent this out....
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 th! ief 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.

You are urged to forward this to your friends before some other car
thief steals another car or truck.

I slipped a 3 x 5 card over the VIN # .

The typical thief won't use this method to steal a car, but the ones that are more cunning, might. Someone at the dealership isn't doing their job. They should always check the customer's ID if they're making a duplicate key! It seems pretty common sense to me. You can read more about this stuff at [URL="http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_car_thieves_vin.htm"]About.com[/URL].