Copied from WRX forums, might be a good idea to get that VIN # covered up.


quote:
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Action News 8 Investigates Vehicle VIN Theft Scam
KSBW Producer Tries To 'Steal' Vehicles

SALINAS, Calif. -- Americans spend millions of dollars a year on alarms and high-tech systems to prevent people from stealing their cars, but it turns out thieves can outsmart car owners just by using a number that is visible on the front dash.

Action News sent a news producer into local car dealerships, armed with vehicle identification numbers copied from cars owned by KSBW employees, who gave their permission.

Action News went to five dealers, and two of them gave her keys without asking for identification or proof of ownership. It took 10 minutes and $6 to make the key, and it took about one minute for Action News to "steal" the car.

"I'm shocked. I'm seriously shocked it was that easy for you to steal my car," said KSBW employee Leila Niehuser.

In California, it's illegal for car dealerships to make a key without seeing proper identification or proof of ownership. California law requires anyone who makes a car key to get the person's name, date of birth, driver's license and signature.

After driving two away, Action News went back to the dealers to ask what happened.

Honda employees made a key, but they said it was a one-time case of what they call "gross negligence." Acura made one, too, and the manager said he doesn't know why employees didn't follow policy.

"I would hope that it's just a fluke. I assure you it won't happen again," said Acura spokesman Jeff Parsons.

Mazda put KSBW's producer through the ringer, refusing to make her a key. Mazda officials said they get a few suspicious requests every month.

It's illegal to change or tamper with the VIN number on a car, but it's not illegal to cover it up. Police said it might be a good idea to do that, because there's no guarantee a car dealership won't make a key for a thief.

http://www.theksbwchannel.com/news/2627022/detail.html

doesnt surprise me

so if your car was stolen in this manner, the dealership would be held liable, right? i bet after one lawsuit this problem would all but disappear.

edit:

assuming the thief was caught, or somehow could prove the dealership copied the key

Won't work on an RX-8.
The key wont get made with a VIN. You need the key number.
Also, you need to program the imobilizer to work with the new key which can only be done aith the car there and the dealer computer hooked up to the data connector.
If you did manage to get a key made, it wouldn't start the car.

Dunno bout that. Most new cars have the immobilezer worked in w/they ignition key. Most high-end locksmiths have access to the temp codes. They can do the same as a dealer and issue a temp key. It will usually allow for 1-3 starts of the engine. After that, the key doesn't work anymore. Some type of temporary thing. So, I'm not sure that's entirely true. Maybe we need to call a mazda dealer and pretend like we lost our key and what do we do?...hehehe

maybe you need to call mazda.

Remeber, most media people don't get paid squat.

So taking the vin off a 1980 honda accord and asking a dealer for key for a $100 car probably doesn't mean much.

Lol, so everyone should cover their vin? Is that legal in your state? I doubt it!

Quote: "Mazda put KSBW's producer through the ringer, refusing to make her a key. Mazda officials said they get a few suspicious requests every month."

We're safe.... :p