Protect your VIN number!

Vic

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I was composing this reply, but when I hit post, the thread had been closed. It's a caution about letting people know your VIN number.

I had a bad experience once, when I sold a car to my wife's friend's husband. (Keep in mind that this is California, and each State's DMV may not be the same.)

I gave him the keys, but not the pink slip. I thought that would protect me from getting screwed. He didn't pay me, so after a year, I went to take the car back. OK so far, car starts, and I drive it home without incident.

When I tried to renew the registration, the DMV said I had to get that **** to sign off his "rights" to the vehicle! When I asked how come I had to get him to release interest, they said it was because he had made an application for title at the DMV, but it was incomplete, because he didn't have the pink slip.

Even though his application was incomplete, it stayed in the computer, and could not be ignored. And I could not renew the registration in my name, until the matter was settled!

The DMV said that as far as they knew, he might have given me the money, and I repossesed the car anyway! So as far as they were concerned, he still had a valid claim to the title until he officially released interest in the vehicle, by signing a certain form from the DMV.

All he had to make application was the VIN number! And then we had to bribe him with $200 (ostensively for tires he put on it) to sign off his interest in a car that he didn't even pay for, plus got to use for free for a year!

Lesson is- Don't let your VIN number get stolen. I could walk up to any car, write down the VIN, and encumber the title, just to mess with someone! Most people in California don't realize how easy this is. I didn't either, until that incident.
 
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Vic

Vic

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Ohhh, uhm, uh, I KNEW THAT! WHAT DO I LOOK LIKE, A DUMMY?
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<FONT size="1">(Don't answer that!)</FONT s>

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ruckdr

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Vic,
So are you suggesting the we cover the VIN Number with tape, for example, so as not to be visible from the outside to strangers ?
Later,
 

Ulysses

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So why couldn't you do the same thing he did. I'm sure the same thing happened to him since you hadn't released interest.But you have the pink slip.

Companies who reposses cars don't seem to have a problem getting the car registered back in their name. I wonder how they go about it. Might be interesting to ask your bank personnel.
 
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Vic

Vic

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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ruckdr:
Vic,
So are you suggesting the we cover the VIN Number with tape, for example, so as not to be visible from the outside to strangers ?
Later,

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Is this a trick question? Sounds like a set up!
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You can do whatever you want, I'm just relating something that happened to me. Plus, I don't know what your state's Dept of Motor Vehicles is like, or what policies they have.

It's probably illegal to cover up your VIN number, in fact I'm sure it is. Thats cause police need your VIN for tickets.

Sometimes people's folding sunscreens just happen to accidently cover their VINs.
 

snowmann

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Protect your VIN?? With all due respece, it is right on your windshield. Maybe you shouldn't give someone your car without getting $$$, I have a feeling that was your problem. Now that would be a good warning.
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Doesn't the Dodge dealership have your VIN too??? If a VIN number should be private, it would not be visable through your windshield. Also if you tell me what year and color your car is I can probably make a good guess at your VIN number too (or at least have a range).
 

Bonkers

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All I need is the formula for the check code and I can know every Viper VIN number made. I've never pursued the issue but I'm sure its not all that difficult to crack or research. Not only that, if my lists are as organized as it looks I can also tell you the probable colour as well.

Its not something you should give out to everyone, but I don't see it as important as your license (which you can get an address on through DMV if you know the right people or live in a state where they still sell them out.)
 
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Vic

Vic

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Well, I'm 41 now, and much wiser than then, when I was 25.

Don't anybody worry, I learned that lesson very well!
 

Jay Herbert

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Hard to believe Arkansas is ahead of California
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When you register a car you need:

1) Clear Title
1A) or copy of finance paperwork, so title will be issued to
party of "lien" (bank, finance co., etc)
2) Signed Bill of Sale (with purchase price)
3) Proof of insurance

you could not get squat with just a VIN.......

without all of this you are sent packing.
 

Mike Brunton

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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bonkers:

Its not something you should give out to everyone, but I don't see it as important as your license (which you can get an address on through DMV if you know the right people or live in a state where they still sell them out.)

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It's worse than you think. With only a LICENSE PLATE number, you can look up a VIN, get the owner's SSN, the registered owner and address, and more. YOU CAN LOOK THEM UP ON THE INTERNET FOR $49! And *anyone* can look it up, you dont need to be a cop or insurance adjuster.

It sounds like the issue is the DMV of the state. I'm pretty sure a lawsuit would clear up that issue REAL fast. Personally, I would have gone that route rather than bribe the guy with money.
 
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