Motorheads Performance
The disturbing new trend of criminals cloning VIN numbers is growing, and it is producing a frustrating number of problems for legitimate car owners nationwide. Could you become victim of an "illegal twin" to your ride?
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| VIN Cloning's Threat To Classic Cars Photo Credit: newson6.com |
If you're not aware of the new method of VIN cloning, you won't be for long. It's on the rise, and is currently used to copy VIN numbers off of legitimate cars that are left in parking lots or other easily accessible public places. The numbers are then used to register stolen vehicles. These newly cloned vehicles can then be used recklessly by the criminals, leaving you holding the bag for speeding tickets or accidents, used to commit a crime, or even to sell the "hot" car for pure profit.
You would be totally unaware that a crime has occurred until you begin receiving parking tickets, speeding tickets, a summons to appear in court, or even arrested for suspicion of involvement in a crime. The consequences can be costly, embarrassing and time-consuming. And, it's happening all over the country.
The FBI broke up a cloning ring in 2009 that had cloned 1,000 stolen cars worth approximately 25 million dollars. Used car buyers can be duped into receiving stolen property if the VIN of their new purchase turns out to have been cloned. Even though you were unaware that it was a stolen car that had been tampered with, you may find yourself out of a vehicle that you still must make payments on!
In our monthly series, "Keeping Our Rides Safe", our focus is to try to prevent theft of our beloved classic cars, muscle cars and old vintage trucks. Guy Algar elaborates, "In researching this new trend of VIN cloning, we realize that there is little to prevent thieves from applying the same techniques to stolen classic cars. A visit to a car show could provide dozens or even hundreds of VIN numbers which would then be transferred to similar stolen cars, and the owner would be unaware that any type of crime has occurred." It's a frightening thought.
Guy Algar continues, "The rules of theft prevention are sometimes so simple we don't routinely follow them. We're easily lulled into a false sense of security when we're at a car show, a swap meet, or places that are known to be relatively safe. With VIN cloning, we need to be even more aware than ever before."
Carefully consider these steps to keep your ride safe:
- Know Who Your Friends Are
- How & Where You Store/Park/Garage Your Car
- At-Home Theft Prevention
- On-the-road Theft Prevention
- Insurance Protection
- Do-it-Yourself Theft Deterrents
- Alarms
- Locks
- Car Theft Systems
- Cameras / Video
- Tracking & Recovery Systems
If you suspect that a newly purchased classic car, muscle car, street rod, antique car or vintage truck may have been cloned because you've started receiving tickets, contact your local police department who can help determine if it is using another vehicle's VIN number.
REFERENCES:
AOL Autos - Your Car Could Have An Illegal Twin If Thieves Clone The VIN
BBB - VIN Cloning Swindles Luxury Car Buyers
FBI - Steering Clear of Car Cloning
RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Classic Car News - Preventing Classic Car Theft: The Big Picture
Classic Car News - Identifying The Potential Classic Car Thief - Know Who Your Friends Are
Classic Car News - How & Where To Park Your Classic Car or Muscle Car In Order To Minimize The Threat of Theft
Classic Car News - At Home Theft Prevention for Your Classic Car or Muscle Car
Classic Car News - On The Road Theft Protection - How to Keep Your Classic Car or Muscle Car Safe While Traveling
Classic Car News - Protect Your Classic Car or Muscle Car From Theft With Specialty Insurance
Classic Car News - Auto Theft Series - Alert to New Theft Method Being Used
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.
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