Car thieves make their own keys
TOLEDO -- You may have gotten an e-mail like this. The latest rumor is that car thieves have a new way to steal your car or truck without a whole lot of effort -- they just copy down the Vehicle Identification Number from your car, take the number to a dealership, and have a new key cut. According the e-mail, the theif doesn't need to break in or damage the car.
Is it possible? Yes. Is it probable? No.
"It seems to be very easy," said Abbey Anteau, a driver who got the e-mail about VIN's and duplicate keys. "Regardless if it's true or not, just walking up to someone's windshield and getting a number off of a car, that's just too easy for me. Now anyone could come and steal my car."
We checked with a local car dealer, and found out it's possible. "If a dealer doesn't have a process in place, yes, somebody can come get a VIN number take it to a dealer," said Mike Stoner, the parts manager of Dave White Chevrolet in Toledo. "If that dealer doesn't follow procedures they can cut a key, and that customer or thief can be gone with your car."
Stoner went on to say General Motors has a specific policy in place to prevent it. "They actually require you to get a VIN number from either a title, registration or insurance card -- any legal document -- as well as having your valid driver's license with the same name," said Stoner.
Toledo-area locksmith Ryan Ames says some companies are not as strict with giving out key codes. "In the past they've been lax with the security of that and they've definitely beefed it up, especially General Motors," said Ames.
So what can you do to safeguard your car? Ames doesn't recommend covering up your VIN, like the e-mail suggests. In some states, that's illegal. Park in secure areas, and don't park in the same place every time. A thief would need a lot of time to get your VIN, forge some documents, go to a dealership, wait for the keys, then steal your car this way. The only way it would work is if you parked in the same place every day for a long time.
As for Abbey Anteau? "I'll just be more cautious you know and you know, look at my surroundings."
Is it possible? Yes. Is it probable? No.
"It seems to be very easy," said Abbey Anteau, a driver who got the e-mail about VIN's and duplicate keys. "Regardless if it's true or not, just walking up to someone's windshield and getting a number off of a car, that's just too easy for me. Now anyone could come and steal my car."
We checked with a local car dealer, and found out it's possible. "If a dealer doesn't have a process in place, yes, somebody can come get a VIN number take it to a dealer," said Mike Stoner, the parts manager of Dave White Chevrolet in Toledo. "If that dealer doesn't follow procedures they can cut a key, and that customer or thief can be gone with your car."
Stoner went on to say General Motors has a specific policy in place to prevent it. "They actually require you to get a VIN number from either a title, registration or insurance card -- any legal document -- as well as having your valid driver's license with the same name," said Stoner.
Toledo-area locksmith Ryan Ames says some companies are not as strict with giving out key codes. "In the past they've been lax with the security of that and they've definitely beefed it up, especially General Motors," said Ames.
So what can you do to safeguard your car? Ames doesn't recommend covering up your VIN, like the e-mail suggests. In some states, that's illegal. Park in secure areas, and don't park in the same place every time. A thief would need a lot of time to get your VIN, forge some documents, go to a dealership, wait for the keys, then steal your car this way. The only way it would work is if you parked in the same place every day for a long time.
As for Abbey Anteau? "I'll just be more cautious you know and you know, look at my surroundings."
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My wife and I both have tape covering our VIN numbers. If Johnny Law needs to look at it, they can ask. 0 -
I personally have allways left a piece of paper on the dash over the VIN #!
If I ever get pulled over I can remove it for an officer to see it if they want, but a passer by cannot look in to see the number!0 -
Well that ain't gonna work on most late model GMs
You can buy all the correct cut key you like, but the computer ain't gonna let if work because the keys have to be coded by the cars computer to work.
And only I know the secret to how this is done.
Yeah, I watched the dealer do it.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Alpine
Well that ain't gonna work on most late model GMs
You can buy all the correct cut key you like, but the computer ain't gonna let if work because the keys have to be coded by the cars computer to work.
And only I know the secret to how this is done.
Yeah, I watched the dealer do it.
I helped a guy at Lake Erie with a Vette a few years ago . Key had failed . I had my ohm meter and sent one of his friends to a Radio-shack for a resister . Had him back on the road in 15 minutes . Not sure if he ever fixed it .0 -
Another trick is that owners often never remove the Dealer's license plate surround - the rim has the dealer's name and location on it. Thief takes the car license # and calls the dealer, pretends he/she is from a used car dealer, and asks for key to be made. Works sometimes.
I, too, cover the vin with a "little Nickel paper, or some such - "it just slid over there while cornering, Officer - here, I'll take it out of the window".0 -
quote:Originally posted by HandLoad
Another trick is that owners often never remove the Dealer's license plate surround - the rim has the dealer's name and location on it. Thief takes the car license # and calls the dealer, pretends he/she is from a used car dealer, and asks for key to be made. Works sometimes.
I, too, cover the vin with a "little Nickel paper, or some such - "it just slid over there while cornering, Officer - here, I'll take it out of the window".
I just use something like 3x5 card and set it up there. It is not illegal to cover the number up as long as you can lift the paper out of the way for an officer to inspect it.0 -
If they want to steal one of my rigs - they are welcome to it. I usually leave them unlocked, with the keys in them. I don't keep valuables in them.
That's what my insurance is for.
Doug0 -
quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
If they want to steal one of my rigs - they are welcome to it. I usually leave them unlocked, with the keys in them. I don't keep valuables in them.
That's what my insurance is for.
Doug
Most insurance wouldn't pay up if your keys were in it.
Mine won't.
If your will, I want yur insurance agent's name and phone #[:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
If they want to steal one of my rigs - they are welcome to it. I usually leave them unlocked, with the keys in them. I don't keep valuables in them.
That's what my insurance is for.
Doug
+10 -
Been this way since VIN's have been in existence and usually involves a corrupt dealership employee, but the odds of falling victim to this scheme are very slim. The vast majority use much more quick and direct methods.
As for the protection that covering up your VIN offers, for a small fee your state's DMV will hand over a copy of your vehicle's registration info. It's public information.
The very best method of protecting yourself is to install a concealed switch that shuts off power to your fuel pump. It's inexpensive, simple and won't start even if a thief has your keys.0
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