VIN #'s Every Car Has One

[metweezer]

I received an email today about criminals looking at your dashboard from outside the car and copying your VIN #. They then call a car dealer Ford/Chrysler, etc. and say they lost their key. They can get a key and even a keyless entry remote that will enable a criminal to approach your car, and without any problems, open your car and drive away. It is illegal to remove your VIN# but the email says to cover it up with some electrical tape. What do you all think of this?
Steve

 

[drew2005]

I doubt thats true. I would think the dealer would have to verify a number of things before issuing anyone a key.

 

[toeknee]

man thats funny, I would sue the dealership because im sure there is a specific process they have to follow before giving a key out and they just neglect to do so.

 

[t316]

I think you need more than a VIN # to get a key or entry code out of a dealer. But along the same lines, try this...it will blow your mind. If you have a keyless entry gizmo on your keychain, and say you lock your keys in your car. Call your spouse on your cell phone, and have them hold their keychain entry gizmo near their cell phone (the one that goes to your car) and they push the open button. Unbelievable.

 

[toeknee]

http://urbanlegends.about.com/librar...s_vin.htm#note

 

[alix2.0]

Originally Posted by T316
http:///forum/post/2460373
I think you need more than a VIN # to get a key or entry code out of a dealer. But along the same lines, try this...it will blow your mind. If you have a keyless entry gizmo on your keychain, and say you lock your keys in your car. Call your spouse on your cell phone, and have them hold their keychain entry gizmo near their cell phone (the one that goes to your car) and they push the open button. Unbelievable.
have you ever done this? i know for a fact it doesnt work with my car BECAUSE THE REMOTE DOESNT MAKE ANY SOUND! lol. i have tried it though.

 

[reefraff]

GM used to have a ring on a key with a number on it that would be used for a new key. That was years ago, I assume they still do something like that.

 

[1journeyman]

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/vin.asp
Interesting read.

 

[t316]

Originally Posted by alix2.0
http:///forum/post/2460377
have you ever done this? i know for a fact it doesnt work with my car BECAUSE THE REMOTE DOESNT MAKE ANY SOUND! lol. i have tried it though.

Yes...have no idea how it works, but it did. Possibly some makes/models/UFO crap...I don't know. Try it on a couple different cars.

 

[renogaw]

its not a vin #, just like its not an atm machine, or a pin #, or ...
Vehicle Identification Number
Automatic Teller Machine
Personal Identification Number
ARGH

 

[coraljunky]

I have lost a set of keys before including keys to my truck, wife's car, and my Harley. All 3 dealers required my I.D. and vehicle registration.

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by coraljunky
http:///forum/post/2460431
I have lost a set of keys before including keys to my truck, wife's car, and my Harley. All 3 dealers required my I.D. and vehicle registration.
Wasn't your registration locked in the glove box?
When I worked at Chrysler, ID and proof of ownership (usually insurance card) were required. There was no way to verify either, so within 2 minutes on a computer I could have made myself a fake insurance card and probably gotten a key. A copy of the drivers license was kept for a few months so if anybody tried the scam I suppose the cops would eventually end up with a copy of the perps D/L.

 

[coraljunky]

Originally Posted by socal57che
http:///forum/post/2460505
Wasn't your registration locked in the glove box?
When I worked at Chrysler, ID and proof of ownership (usually insurance card) were required. There was no way to verify either, so within 2 minutes on a computer I could have made myself a fake insurance card and probably gotten a key. A copy of the drivers license was kept for a few months so if anybody tried the scam I suppose the cops would eventually end up with a copy of the perps D/L.
I still had my wife's set of keys. For my Harley there was a 3 day waiting period to verify ownership.

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by socal57che
http:///forum/post/2460505
Wasn't your registration locked in the glove box?
....
Some States do not require you to carry Registration for your vehicle. My car's title is locked in my lockbox. We have stickers for Inspections and yearly Registrations on our windshields.

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
http:///forum/post/2460643
Some States do not require you to carry Registration for your vehicle. My car's title is locked in my lockbox. We have stickers for Inspections and yearly Registrations on our windshields.
He mentioned it in his post.
Originally Posted by coraljunky
http:///forum/post/2460431
I have lost a set of keys before including keys to my truck, wife's car, and my Harley. All 3 dealers required my I.D. and vehicle registration.
This is why we only required the insurance card and ID. The reg. was locked in the car...or glued to the windshield.
Nice to have a wife with keys though. I had to break a window on my '57 one night after a movie date. I was 18. Very embarassing.

 

[mfp1016]

Originally Posted by alix2.0
http:///forum/post/2460377
have you ever done this? i know for a fact it doesnt work with my car BECAUSE THE REMOTE DOESNT MAKE ANY SOUND! lol. i have tried it though.

Yes, it does, your human ears can't hear it. This in fact works on a lot of cars, though for some the trnasmitter is to weak to endure the noise interference brought about by its transmission.

 

[sluggo]

One guy who used to work for me lost the keys to one my work trucks and we had to take the title plus show my wifes drivers license to get a replacement key at the Ford dealership.
Don

 

[mie]

Yeah it would suck to have your car jacked, but that is why you have full coverage insurance.

 

[blazehok68]

A Vin Number Alone Will Not Get You A Key Made From The Dealership. You Need Thae Key Code That Goes Along With It. If You Have Ever Purchased A New Vehicle And With The Keys There Is A Little Piece Of Metal On One Of The Key Rings, That Is The Key Code. If You Do Not Have That usually You Have To Replace The Lock And Tumbler Assembly.

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by BLAZEHOK68
http:///forum/post/2461621
A Vin Number Alone Will Not Get You A Key Made From The Dealership. You Need Thae Key Code That Goes Along With It. If You Have Ever Purchased A New Vehicle And With The Keys There Is A Little Piece Of Metal On One Of The Key Rings, That Is The Key Code. If You Do Not Have That usually You Have To Replace The Lock And Tumbler Assembly.
Um...false.
Tumblers are numbered. All you do is pull the ignition lock, disassemble it, read the numbers in order and cut a key to those specs. Any locksmith and most dealership line techs can do it. Some cars, especially europeans, do require a special machine to cut the key. Mercedes, BMW and even VW owners know their keys look different.
ps...I think your keyboard is broken. Every Word Is Capitalized.

oops, I just remembered...use a door lock, not the ignition. sometimes they lack a cut, hence the valet key.