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.

 

that's nuts! guess we have to start covering the vin plate..

 

What car thief is going to wait a month to get the key from Germany and pay 150$!!!!

 

This isn't new to the car theft world, but does work. A large ring was just caught doing exaclty this in Detroit last week. Many dealerships require proof of ownership prior to cutting keys, but many only require a good story. Perhaps this Forum shouldn't be displaying the VIN's of members cars?

 

I ordered a new key, had in in one day and cost $135

 

Removing V.I.N., or build #, but I trust the members on this site

 

yep totally agree, this is a real problem.

when I order my spare keys, the dealer asked to see my vehicle registration. But i think it is easy to make a fake registration, or one from another state, the guy working in the parts department have no idea if I'm the "real" owner...

 

I had a replacment key in two day and paid 65 bucks at the dealer.....

 

Again, all good reasons: "Perhaps this Forum shouldn't be displaying the VIN's of members cars?"

 

Read the Snopes article & draw your own conclusions.....
http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/vin.asp

 

I Work For A Chrysler Dealership And It Is True This Can Be Done. However A Reputable Dealer Is To Get A Copy Of The Owners Drivers Liscense, And Registraion, Or Insurance Card. My Parts Dept. Will Not Release A Key Without It, People Hate It Cause Most People Keep That Stuff In Their Glove Boxes. This Is Great Info Though, Because The Dealership Is Your Only Line Of Defense!!!

 

My dealership requires proof of ownership by either displaying the registration or insurance card. That must also be accompanied by photo I.D. So for us, no reg, no I.D. no Key. Problem solved.

 

Although this is really an urban legend, an insurance card could easily be faked.

 

Driver's Lic. aren't as easy. There is only so much we can do. If someone wants it bad enough, they will find a way.

It's not an urban legend, they busted a guy in my area that had done it twice in one day...

 

I just ordered a replacement key yesterday and gave them my registration to get the VIN. But they did not ask for it! I probably just could have given them the number. So I'll be covering with tape, too.

I do keep both Crossfires garaged and work from home (no office parking lot where the car would be accessible every day), so my risk is small. But why take it?

Thanks for the tip.

 

My delaer requires that you also show a valid registration for the car before any keys are made!

 

That's what I have insurance for, if they steal mine I guess I'll just have to find a SRT Roadster.

 

I did a search. Apparently it is illegal to cover the VIN in some states but at least, in california, it is okay to cover the VIN. Here is an article of a newstation that tried to steal cars via VINs:

http://www.ksbw.com/news/2627022/detail.html

 

This wouldn't work on my car since I had a 2nd alarm built in. The 2nd alarm goes off if you dont turn it off with the remote.