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| What is a VIN Number and why do we use it? The Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) was originally described in ISO Standard
3779 in February 1977. It was last revised in 1983. This VIN was designed
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Internet Rumor
Date: Feb 16, 2005
Contributor: Ericka Stokely
VIN is no key to free wheels
Internet rumor is exactly that
Thieves have found a new way to steal cars, warns an e-mail making its way around the Internet.
The crooks jot down a car's vehicle identification number and use it to get a duplicate key from the dealer. So to avoid being a victim, the e-mail suggests putting electrical tape or some other opaque tape over the VIN.
It's actually an urban legend that's been making the rounds on the Internet since 2003. Urban legends are oft-told tales whose origin is uncertain, like the woman who bought an imported sweater and got bit by a baby snake. The source of such stories usually is "a friend of a friend.'
Technically, it requires more than a vehicle identification number to get a duplicate car key. This doesn't apply to making a copy from an existing key.
The California Motor Car Dealers Association heard about this type of e-mail when a radio station came calling recently. Police say theoretically, pulling a scam like this is possible but safeguards do exist.
"You need to jump through a lot of hoops to get a key. It's not as simple as you think,' said Sheriff's Lt. Paul Jendrucko of the Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention.
He hasn't seen this particular e- mail.
"I'm sure people tried to do it,' he added.
Under state law, you need more than a vehicle identification number to get a duplicate car key.
There's a form that dealers fill out and keep for two years whenever a key is handed out. It asks for the name, address, phone number, date of birth and driver license or ID number of the person asking for the key.
The car's registered owner, license number, year, make, model and vehicle identification number are also needed.
It's a misdemeanor to violate these requirements, according to Marcella Rojas, communications director with the California Motor Car Dealers Association.
The VIN urban legend has yet to claim a victim among the association's 1,400-plus members, she said.
"Our dealers have not run into this problem because they go by the record-keeping system,' Rojas said.
For the scam to work almost requires an insider, Jendrucko said. And to his knowledge, this hasn't been the primary way thieves have used to steal cars.
And don't think about covering a car's VIN with tape.
For more information relating to "Internet Rumor", please visit our Internet Rumor page.
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