I'm sure that this has been thought of and probably posted before but I'll share it anyway.

My next door neighbor is in law enforcement (was with the county but now works on some joint-federal stuff) and got this info in one of their recent briefings. It was mentioned that some thiefs have gone as far as getting the VIN number of your vehicle, taking the number to a dealer and getting a key made stating "I lost my keys" or "I locked my keys in the vehicle." Then they come back, open your vehicle with the new key and drive off. The only thing that would stop them is having to program the new key but that can be done once they get in the vehicle.

While it is unlawful to modify the VIN, there is nothing wrong with covering it up. What I did was cut a piece of cardboard from the back of a notebook (about 2" x 3") and slide it between the dash and the windshield over the VIN. That way I can remove it if needed. When I replace my DOD sticker I am going to put it over it as well.

Just thought I'd pass it on...

Happy truckin'

 

Dealers I've dealt with (including the one I work for) won't make you a key without providing proof of ownership, like the registration of the vehicle. Often times, we'll make you tow the vehicle in, since a lot of times new keys need to be programmed anywho. And it takes ten minutes to program a PATS key, I think someone would look kinda suspicious sitting in a parking lot with a scantool for ten minutes.

But that wouldn't stop them with ignorant dealers and non-PATS equipped vehicles. Good info nonetheless.

 

Thank You, I never thought of that, I had my vehicles stolden twice in the past. Where I live everybody is on drugs, its crazy, when you go out at night, its like a bunch of Zombies running around saying "hey man I need a fix". and the local police do nothing cause they are afraid of the drug dealers.

 

Dear Mr. Quintin,,,, Maybe your Dealer won't make a key unless the people shows some type of proof he owns the vehicle, but many Dealers only care about making money and profit, and will sell anybody a key, and maybe some druggie may have another druggie friend that works at the dealer and can make the key, they might say "like hey man, make me this key and I can get you a fix man".

 

Unfortunately, not everyone out there has morals and a sense of right and wrong. And since we've had vehicles stolen before, proof of ownership for everything is standard procedure for us now.

 

im sure a lawyer could get u some money from the dealer who wrongfully sold the person the key just sue em and get u a new truck

 

Here is what snopes said about it.

 

In reference to this, I jumped in the truck on Thursday afternoon in our parking garage at work, stuck the key in and tried to crank the truck. Would only turn over, but not start. I checked fuel rail and had pressure, battery was still good, even though it is the original. I did disconnect it and let is sit for about a minute. Called the dealership and asked them what to look for as I was a block from the nearest road and no tow truck could reach my truck due to roof height. They said try starting with gas pedal to the floor and then depressed slightly, nothing. I did notice during this procedure that the theft light was flashing fast. Looked in manual and saw it said to have it towed. Called dealer back and they confirmed. Roll back on its way and I am stuck pushing this heavy bst to the street. Along the way, with the key in the ignition and the truck in neutral, it must of recognized the key. I noticed when I got to the road, the theft light had stopped flashing. I tried it and truck cranked right up just as the tow truck arrived. Luckily he said have a nice day, no charge to come get me! to Ben Satcher Ford in Lexington,SC!
Has started fine since.
Should I be concerned that it needs to be looked at or replaced?

 

Damn, that sucks…

 

I took a suggestion from the Washington D.C. Auto Theft Unit and had my VIN etched into all of the glass on my vehicle. My local police dept. was providing this as a free service on day and also gave away the "club" anti theft device. Apparently, if the truck ends up in a chop shop or it is "re-VINed" it is easier to track the parts and may also deter profesional car theives if they notice it since they cannot sell the glass as easily.

 

Yeah, many dealerships will screw, er- I mean sell window VIN etching to people as a theft deterent.

Truth be told, if mine gets stolen- I don't want it back... So keep driving...

You must consider this- many thieves won't bother to even take your license plate off your car before stealing it; and it can be readily seen and read from a distance- so, do you really think VIN etching will spare your car?

Save yourself the $150.00.

My truck has it, and it had the "door edge guards" for a total of $210.00 additional cost. I told them I wasn't paying $60.00 for something I could get at Autozone for $6.00, and I wasn't about to pay them $150.00 for VIN etching because it was useless.

I didn't pay for it either...

 

I was a little sceptical as well but my etching was free so I figured why not. Also, since it was recommended by people who deal with stolen cars for a living I figuered they new more about this type of thing than I do. Most care thieves (the ones who don't switch out your plates) are stupid kids who will drive it until they crash or run out of gas. But if a pro car theif sees my truck and decided to steal the one next to it because he sees my VIN etching, then great. And I'm with you, if he does steal it, he can keep it.

 

my shop teacher left his truck running outside the shop one evening to run in an get something to take home and finish and he was inside maybee 2 minutes and some kid who was taking a GED course at the highschool stole it went joy ridding in it. then once he was done he and a friend took an ax and a sledge hammer to the interior. cut up the seats axed the dash. cut all the tires totaled out the truck i mean so bad that the engine was only thing still salvagable to a scrap yard. but hsi insurance company gave em enough to get em a new truck so i guess worked out good for him he got a dodge and got rid of the chevy

 

Well I think that's some good advice. Only takes a few minutes to cover the VIN# and the POS people that want to steal your trucks will go on tho the next one that isn't hiden from view. I can see how this could be a problem. I've worked on Mercedes vehicles and had to learn the new keys, but had to call Daimler Crysler useing lap top comuter to get the codes. If our trucks are as easy as going to local dealer and giving them VIN# Then just hide it from view.

 

It's illegal in some states to obscure the VIN.