Vehicle Id Number car thieves

[Quicksilver]

"Seems that car thieves have found yet another way to steal your car or truck without any effort at all. The car thieves peer through the windshield of your car or truck, write down the VIN # (Vehicle Id Number) from the label on the dash, go to the local car dealership and request a duplicate key based on the VIN #.

I didn't believe this, so I called a friend at Chrysler Dodge and pretended I had lost my keys. They told me to just bring in the VIN #, and they would cut me one on the spot, and I could order the keyless device if I wanted.

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 opaque tape (electrical, duct, or medical tape) across the VIN Metal Label located on the dashboard. 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.

Some slip a 3x5 card over the VIN #

You might want to share this with your friends before some other car thief steals another car or truck. Because you can teach an old dog new tricks!"

[crete]

Did you actually go to the dealer and get a key? I would think (hope) dealers would ask to see some form of ID from you so they can match you with the vehicle after looking up the VIN in their system..

[UCrewX5]

crete is correct. In addition to providing a VIN you must also provide identification and proof of ownership before they will cut you a key.

[Coffeeman]

Originally Posted by UCrewX5

crete is correct. In addition to providing a VIN you must also provide identification and proof of ownership before they will cut you a key.

True, but newer BMW keys are not "cut" at the dealer. They have to be ordered by the parts dept. A fixed number of keys are made when the vehicle is produced, and kept in a secure location. Once the original key supply is exhausted, the entire vehicle has to be re-keyed.

[UCrewX5]

Originally Posted by Coffeeman

True, but newer BMW keys are not "cut" at the dealer. They have to be ordered by the parts dept. A fixed number of keys are made when the vehicle is produced, and kept in a secure location. Once the original key supply is exhausted, the entire vehicle has to be re-keyed.

You are correct, thanks for the clarification.

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by UCrewX5

crete is correct. In addition to providing a VIN you must also provide identification and proof of ownership before they will cut you a key.

Not always. I did get a key cut years ago no ID needed. Hopefully this story is the exception not the rule like people getting their door locks ripped out of their X5's. If it happens to just one of us thats too many.

But now that I have everyone's attention here's the real story.
http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/vintheft.html

And just another reminder
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ight=X5+stolen

[dsheli]

That is how two yes two H2's were stolen from my school's parking lot.

[UCrewX5]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Not always. I did get a key cut years ago no ID needed. Hopefully this story is the exception not the rule like people getting their door locks ripped out of their X5's. If it happens to just one of us thats too many.

If I were a dealer I would never assume the liability of providing a new key unless I had proof of ownership and positive ID from the person requesting it. It's just not worth the risk.

[2001BMW330xi]

I would hope that BMW dealership would ask for more than just the VIN#. My friend just last week had lost the keys to her 2000 Honda Civic. We went to the dealership, and she had to not only show ID, but proof of purchase. She had to have the original dealership back in Florida where she bought the car fax over a copy of her invoice when she bought the car almost 5 years ago.

[PersonaNonGrata]

My BMW dealer requires you to show your original DMV registration since that will have all identifying information on it.