VIN #s and car thieves

**alkaydenz-28** · 11-23-2006, 06:37 PM

hello everyone, i dont know if its already old news or not but, i would like to inform everyone that, car thieves can now just walk up to your car, get your VIN #, go to the local dealership, and request a duplicate key based on the VIN #.
the car dealers parts department will make a duplicate key based from the VIN#, and collect payment from the thief, they even offer a remote keyless to go with the key.
and man, how easy that would be for the thief to drive away with the vehicle , and maybe straight to the chop shop.
I myself still have the stock alarm system on my Z, fixing to replace it asap.
By law, you cannot remove the VIN# but you can cover it so it cant be viewed from the windshield by the car thieves.
hopefully its a good info.

**Tyler_LS1** · 11-23-2006, 06:39 PM

Good info! thanks!

**s99ta** · 11-23-2006, 06:40 PM

the dealers around her require prof you own the car before they will cut you a key

**02z28ls1** · 11-23-2006, 06:45 PM

You didn't see "Gone in 60 Seconds"? Pay attention to the Mercedes dealer requiring an illegal under the table pay-off before making keys, and the reaction to the rest of the car theives at how amateur that was, because the cops will figure it out. I don't know if this is really going on around here or not, but not that I've heard of.

**Steve Crowe** · 11-24-2006, 11:21 AM

Doesn't happen here either but it seems to me thieves are a bit more resourceful, piece of cake to get a set of rocker picks that will open and start most anything. Even the cars with the Pass-Key system can be defeated.

I won't go into details but a professional thief can make keys in a matter of minutes.

**JwMonE99** · 11-24-2006, 07:16 PM

Actually that has happened alot and many pple I know cover up their vin numbers from the window view. Its worth it just in case you never know, its not that hard to get it coverd its worth it casue if ur car gets stolen ur going to wish you covered the vin well it would help

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 11-25-2006, 10:00 AM

Maybe that'll work for the doors but there's no way the dealer knows how to cut a ignition key. Ignition cylinders are replaced all the time on these cars so there's no way for the dealer to know the shape of the key.

**02z28ls1** · 11-25-2006, 05:37 PM

If you get pulled over the Highway Patrol will be suspicious of the covered VIN. May raise suspicion if they are checking out your parked car some where also. If it does get stolen you've helped out the thieves by covering it for them. Just make it so it's easy to uncover if you do this.