WARNING! Thefts using VIN's
#12
I went to the dealership here in NY to getthe PK3 key cut for my Montana. They made me show them the registration and my drivers license before they would cut it for me. I questioned and they gave me a similar story. He said they have been doing it this way for about 2 years because of these car theft. What a crappy way to lose your ride if some idiot truly gets a key cut.
#13
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,539
Likes: 16
From: Purgatory, Pennsylvania
Whether Snopes has confirmed this or not, It'* happening. I did a little e-snooping of my own. While the National Auto Dealer Assoc. try'* to lay down alot of bullcrap about safety guards in place, there have been News People testing the waters and finding it easy to do.
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/...28/detail.html
Well dressed and speaking people aren't viewed as threats and as that News Crew proved, it'* often a walk in, walk out easy thing to do.
Having migrated from NY, I know whats Mike is saying. NY uses registration stickers alongside inspection stickers instead of Plate stickers with the VIN clearly displayed on them. And it is common for the NY Police to use that against the OEM tag to validate the cars belongs to you using the two side by side in view of each other. Very hard to cover that up. And any attempt to do so would get you pulled over by the watchful NYS State Police. Seems they should change the way they do things
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/...28/detail.html
Well dressed and speaking people aren't viewed as threats and as that News Crew proved, it'* often a walk in, walk out easy thing to do.
Having migrated from NY, I know whats Mike is saying. NY uses registration stickers alongside inspection stickers instead of Plate stickers with the VIN clearly displayed on them. And it is common for the NY Police to use that against the OEM tag to validate the cars belongs to you using the two side by side in view of each other. Very hard to cover that up. And any attempt to do so would get you pulled over by the watchful NYS State Police. Seems they should change the way they do things
#14
Most dealerships around this area at least won't cut a key unless you show them the registration. Kinda old news. Probably a good 8 years ago I remember dealerships started making a practice of not cutting keys on VINs unless you showed proof of ownership.
Oh well, in any case, that is why you install a car alarm or get a car with some type of passive anti-theft device like a coded key. The PATs keys for fords for instance have to be programmed into the ECU after they are cut.
Oh well, in any case, that is why you install a car alarm or get a car with some type of passive anti-theft device like a coded key. The PATs keys for fords for instance have to be programmed into the ECU after they are cut.
#16
#17
Wait a minute... With a PK3 key doesn't it have to be programmed to the car? They may be able to get the key cut, but unless it is programmed they are going to be without a fuel pump...
Unless they can program it for the vehicle from the factory?
Unless they can program it for the vehicle from the factory?
#19
True Tom------but even if you have the PK3 key you can open the car, pop it into neutral and you have it. It may not keep the car running if it is not programmed. It will start and die after about 10 seconds. I tried it just to see when they made the key.
#20
Why would you need to put the car in neutral to tow it? It'* front wheel drive, once the front tires are off the ground there'* nothing stopping it from moving.