VIN Warning
 

VIN NUMBER - WARNING

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 vehicle,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 #.
I didn't believe this e-mail, so I called 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 dark tape (electrical tape, duct tape or medical tape) across the VIN Number 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.

I urge you to forward this to your friends before some other car thief steals another car or truck.
I slipped a 3x5 card over my VIN NUMBER. PASS THIS INFORMATION ON TO ALL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS NOW!!!!!

All you have to do is bring the VIN to the dealer....and proof that you own the car.

BMW dealer required registration card and drivers license to cut a key from code. Newer cars with an electronic key cannot be made from just the VIN, at least with Honda. The car would have to be towed to the dealership to program the replacement key to the car, and disable any lost keys. I dont know if Ford, or anyone else, can do it from the VIN alone.

As Mark and Jim pointed out...there are no dealerships or locksmiths that I know of who will not require positive proof of ownership before cutting a key. Jim also made a good point regarding electronic or chipped keys...you're not going to be able to start the car without a properly coded key.

Good point by the OP regarding covering the VIN on the dash plate.

Good points guys. Thanks for making me feel more secure.

Probably my biggest pet peeve on earth are chain emails. Amazed how many people believe and forward this garbage.

My ex lost the keys to her VW, she had to have the car towed to the dealership since she also managed to lock her purse in it along with all her ID, etc. It was a huge pain.

There is some truth to this. I was at my local Ford dealership yesterday to buy some parts and I saw a bulletin hanging on the wall about this very topic. It was from the CCPD (local police department) it stated that if a vehicle was stolen by use of a key cut by the dealer from a VIN number the person who cut it would become a witness to a crime and could be subject to questioning, testifying, and so on. The funny thing is the message basically said it would be very time consuming for the individual that cut the key and that they should verify ownership to avoid any down time.