New way to get your cager stolen

[Outta Control]

I am not sure if this is the right forum or I could just post it on Kitchen but oh well. I got this from another forum but sounds pretty viable.

"Subject: Sacramento County Sheriff's Department

Here is info worth the price of your car....WHAT WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT?

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 # . My friend didn't believe this, so she called Chrysler-Dodge and pretended she had lost her keys. They told her to just bring in the VIN #, and they would cut her one on the spot, and she could order the keyless device if she 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. I slipped a 3 x 5 card over the VIN NUMBER. This
can also be done when you have parked your car for the day at a shopping mall, hospital, or work place parking lot!

Cindy Burdette

Crime Prevention Specialist

Sacramento Sheriff's Department"

[Razel]

Snopes apparently found it to be valid
Snopes report (http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/vin.asp)
But the thieves are forging documents as well, so their target is usually used car lots.

[Outta Control]

I was about to say that . ;)

[Traq]

Not 100% sure, but I think if you cover the VIN when the vehicle is parked on the street it could be towed.

[Alan_Hepburn]

From what I've heard no dealer will make a key based on just the VIN - they'll also request to see some kind of confirmation that the VIN you give them matches a car you actually own. So the thief will also need a copy of your registration, or a pink slip, and a driver's license showing the same name and address as on the registration or pink slip.

[Razel]

The "Snopes" article referred to thieves getting into cars in 2002. It's possible that the car dealerships have changed policies in the last 5 years.

[Traq]

From what I've heard no dealer will make a key based on just the VIN - they'll also request to see some kind of confirmation that the VIN you give them matches a car you actually own. So the thief will also need a copy of your registration, or a pink slip, and a driver's license showing the same name and address as on the registration or pink slip.

The "Snopes" article referred to thieves getting into cars in 2002. It's possible that the car dealerships have changed policies in the last 5 years.

In doing my research trying to verify my above statement re: obscured VIN risks being towed, I did find a new law that comes on the books in January regarding having keys made:

Replacement Key Information
9954. (a) This section applies only to new vehicles
sold or leased in this state on or after January 1, 2008,
except as provided in subdivision (d) or (e).
(b) A motor vehicle manufacturer of a motor vehicle
sold or leased in this state shall provide the means
whereby the registered owner of that motor vehicle,
through a registered locksmith, can access the
information, and only that information, that is
necessary to permit the production of a replacement key
or other functionally similar device by the registered
locksmith that will allow the registered vehicle’s owner
to enter, start, and operate his or her vehicle. The
means to access this information shall be available by
telephone or electronically 24 hours a day and seven
days a week, as follows:
(1) When a registered locksmith is requested by the
motor vehicle’s registered owner or the registered
owner’s family member, to produce a replacement key
or other functionally similar device that will allow the
vehicle to be entered, started, and operated, and the
information is needed from the vehicle manufacturer
in order to produce the requested key or other
functionally similar device, in addition to the
requirement in Section 466.6 of the Penal Code, the
registered locksmith shall visually verify the identity of
the requesting party through that party’s driver’s
license; shall visually verify that the registration of the
vehicle matches the requesting party’s identity and
address (or last name and address if the requesting
party is a family member of the registered owner); and
shall visually verify that the vehicle identification
number of the vehicle matches with the vehicle
identification number on the registration. Upon
satisfactory verification of all three requirements, the
registered locksmith shall sign an affidavit that he or
she has visually verified the information and file the
affidavit along with, and for the same time period as,
the work order required by Section 466.6 of the Penal
Code, and proceed to access the needed information
from the vehicle manufacturer.
(2) Upon completing the services, the registered
locksmith shall give any key code information obtained
from the vehicle manufacturer to the registered owner,
or if applicable, the owner’s family member, and shall
destroy all information accessed from the vehicle
manufacturer in his or her possession.
(3) Except in cases of fraud or misappropriation, a
registered locksmith who follows these procedures
shall incur no liability for theft of the vehicle related to
the locksmith’s production of a replacement key or
functionally similar device that will allow the vehicle
to be entered, started, and operated.
(4) When a vehicle manufacturer receives a request
from a registered locksmith for information to enable
the locksmith to produce a replacement key or other
functionally similar device that will allow the vehicle
to be entered, started, and operated, and that request is
made at the behest of the vehicle’s registered owner or
the registered owner’s family member, the vehicle
manufacturer shall require the registered locksmith to
confirm the locksmith’s registration with the
manufacturer’s registry; provide the security password
issued by the manufacturer; and comply with any other
reasonable authentication procedure. The
manufacturer shall also require the registered
locksmith to confirm the locksmith’s visual identity
and vehicle verifications, pursuant to paragraph (1).
Upon satisfactory verification of these requirements,
and upon presentation of the vehicle identification
number and model number, the vehicle manufacturer
shall provide to the registered locksmith, for the vehicle
identified by the vehicle identification number and
model number, the information necessary to enable
production of a replacement key or other functionally
similar device that allows the vehicle to be entered,
started, and operated.
(5) A motor vehicle manufacturer subject to this
section shall retain and make the information
available in accordance with this section for at least 25
years from the date of manufacture.
(6) A vehicle manufacturer that follows these
procedures shall incur no liability for theft of the
vehicle related to furnishing the information to a
registered locksmith for the production of a
replacement key or functionally similar device that
will allow the vehicle to be entered, started, and
operated.
(c) For purposes of this section the following
definitions apply:
(1) “Information” includes, but is not limited to, the
vehicle’s key code and, if applicable, immobilizer or
access code, and its successor technology and
terminology.
(2) “Motor vehicle” is a passenger vehicle as defined
in Section 465 and pickup truck as defined in Section
471, and does not include a housecar, a motorcycle, or
other two-wheeled motor vehicle.
(3) A “registered locksmith” means a locksmith
licensed and bonded in California that has registered
with a motor vehicle manufacturer, and has been
issued a registry number and security password by the
manufacturer.
(4) A registered owner, as defined in Section 505,
also includes a lessee of the vehicle when the lessee’s
name appears on the vehicle registration.
(d) (1) This section does not apply to a vehicle line of
a motor vehicle manufacturer that on January 1, 2006,
does not provide for the production of a replacement
key or other functionally similar device that allows the
vehicle to be entered, started, and operated, by anyone
other than the vehicle manufacturer itself and only
itself, provided that the vehicle manufacturer operates
a telephone or electronic request line 24 hours a day
and seven days a week, and upon a request of the
registered owner or family member of the registered
owner of the vehicle, a replacement key or other
functionally similar device that will allow the vehicle
to be entered, started, and operated, is furnished to the
registered owner at a reasonable cost within one day of
the request or via the next overnight delivery.
(2) If subsequent to January 1, 2008, a vehicle line of
the manufacturer exempted by this subdivision
provides for the production of a replacement by anyone,
other than the vehicle manufacturer itself, of a key or
other functionally similar device that will allow the
vehicle to be entered, started, and operated, this section
shall apply to that vehicle line.
(3) This subdivision shall remain operative until
January 1, 2013, and as of that date shall become
inoperative, unless a later enacted statute, that is
enacted before January 1, 2013, deletes or extends that
date.
(e) (1) This section does not apply to a vehicle line of
a motor vehicle manufacturer that sold between 2,500
and 5,000 vehicles of that line in the prior calendar
year in the state.
(2) This subdivision shall remain operative until
January 1, 2013, and as of that date shall become
inoperative, unless a later enacted statute, that is
enacted before January 1, 2013, deletes or extends that
date.
(f) This section shall not apply to a make that sold
fewer than 2,500 vehicles in the prior calendar year in
the state.
(g) The duties imposed on a manufacturer pursuant
to this section may be performed either by the
manufacturer or by an agent through a contract.
(h) The provisions of this section are severable. If
any provision of this section or its application is held
invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions
or applications that can be given effect without the
invalid provision or application.
Added Sec. 2, Ch. 433, Stats. 2006. Effective January 1, 2007.
NOTE: Subdivisions (d) and (e) of the preceding section become
inoperative on January 1, 2013.

And if you read all of that you are a better man than I! :laughing

[Junkie]

In doing my research trying to verify my above statement re: obscured VIN risks being towed, I did find a new law that comes on the books in January regarding having keys made:



And if you read all of that you are a better man than I! :laughingmy car doesn't have a VIN plate on the dash, and has never been towed. it's a 1990 and hasn't had a dash VIN since it was salvaged in 92 (just before my parents bought it), so it certainly isn't common.

edit: err, it was towed once when illegally parked after it was stolen (again), in um... 99? something like that. I don't think that really counts though.

[RolnCode3]

Having the VIN covered does not = tow.

It could, however, cause problems if the validity of the plate on the vehicle came into question. Worst case scenario would be that your vehicle would be forced open to verify the VIN matches the vehicle the plate is supposed to be on.

This is only a *possible* scenario, and is rare unless you're driving a real POS with equipment violations and something isn't matching up. They would probably knock on your door first (assuming they can get the info and it's not overly inconvenient), and ask you to help them alleviate their suspicions.

Older cars have no VIN on the dash, and they don't get towed either. The VIN on the dash came about because of search-and-seizure case law.

22651. (j) When any vehicle is found illegally parked and there are no
license plates or other evidence of registration displayed, the
vehicle may be impounded until the owner or person in control of the
vehicle furnishes the impounding law enforcement agency evidence of
his or her identity and an address within this state at which he or
she can be located.

[mmerdock]

Its a hoax guys, don't waste your time and other people's inbox space!

Just Google VIN CAR THEFT HOAX (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=vin+car+theft+hoax)

[959Lover]

We wanted to get the key code to our Porsche's stock stereo, so we called the dealer. The dealer then told us that they wouldn't give us that information over the phone, because we'd have to go to the dealer with the vehicles TITLE to get that code. OMG! For a stupid OEM deck worth nada on the street!

[CnDnMax]

Its a hoax guys, don't waste your time and other people's inbox space!

Just Google VIN CAR THEFT HOAX (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=vin+car+theft+hoax)
The chances of your car getting stolen in this way are next to nothing but i wouldn't say it's never happened/going to happen.

[motorman4life]

I don't know why everyone seems to think this only applies to cars/cages. I have key codes for my m/c keys. I have little doubt the dealer could produce a key for my m/c from the vin.

The vin is visible on a m/c and it is unlawful to remove or alter the number. What if an employee at a dealership cut keys from vin #'s on the side???

When I went to get a spare key for my Mini Cooper, I had to provide my original registration card to the dealer. They mailed a copy back east with an affidavit form they completed and they key was mailed to the address on the vehicle reg card. I also had to pay with a credit card in the same name as the registration. Pretty cautious I'd say. It was pretty reassuring.

I don't know if Honda, Yamaha or other m/c dealers are as careful. I have gone in with my key and they looked at it and sold me a duplicate without asking a question. I could not do that at the Mini dealer.

[}Dragon{]

Locks only keep honest people honest...

[T-1 Thunder]

When I lost my keys, I called up the dealership. They wanted me to provide pinkslip and they would also ensure there were no leins on it prior to kicking out a key.

So, the fact that people are forging docs is really what does it.