GOT THIS FROM SHIRLEY POWERS:
A friend of mine sent this to me. It happened to her friend.
Here is info worth the price of your car..what will the car thieves think of next.?
The car thieves peer through the windshield of your car or truck, write down the VIN from the label on the dash, go to the local car dealership and request a duplicate key, based on the VIN. My friend didn't believe the the email she received, so she called Volvo and pretended she had lost her keys. They told her to just bring in the VIN, and they would cut her one on the spot, and she could order the keyless device if she wanted.
The car dealer's parts department will make a duplicate key from the VIN and collect payment from the thief, who will then return to your car. He doesn't have to break in, or do any damage to the vehicle, or draw attention to himself. All he or she has to do is,walk up to your car, insert the key and off he or she goes to a local chop shop with your vehicle.
Don't believe it?
It is that easy.
To avoid this, simply put some tape (electrical tape, duct tape or medical) across the VIN metal label, located on the dashboard. By law, you cannot remove the VIN, but can cover it so it can't be viewed through the windshield by a car thief. I urge you to gorward this to your friends and family before some car thief steals your car or truck. A simple 3 x 5 business card over the VIN on the inside of the dash, would do the trick.
Shirley Powers
((A FOOTNOTE TO THIS ONE FROM CALVIN: Folks, this makes perfect sense. Your exposed VIN is vulnerable to any car thief that can use it to get a key made. I misplaced the keys to my Honda, and called the dealership about getting a duplicate. They told me I'd have to have the title to get one. I told them, if I could get to the title in the glove compartment, I wouldn't NEED a duplicate key. They said, 'come on down with the VIN and we'll cut you one.'
A convincing woman or a strong-willed man could probably get a key made, simply by making up some situations. COVER UP THE VIN. The car you save, could be your own.
