Giving out VIN numbers?

[PoorManQ45]

What is the problem with giving out your VIN number?

I see people on here and other forums guarding it like it's their social security number, mother's maiden name, and bank account number all rolled in to one.

Couldn't someone walking by your car just write down the VIN?

[szh]

What is the problem with giving out your VIN number?

I see people on here and other forums guarding it like it's their social security number, mother's maiden name, and bank account number all rolled in to one.

Couldn't someone walking by your car just write down the VIN?

Perhaps. But that is far less of an issue than with having it published for anyone in the world to use it in ways that may not be kosher.

Z

[Red coupe]

Perhaps. But that is far less of an issue than with having it published for anyone in the world to use it in ways that may not be kosher.

Z

Used for what?

Besides, VIN numbers are formulaic based on info of the car.If you wanted a vin number for a certain vehicle, all you have to do is look up the numbering scheme for that particular vehicle to make up a legit one... or simply find a model on the street and read its tag.

If I wanted to do something bad with some vin number, I would just find an example of that car and look it up... That way I would have all the other info on the car too.

[dusred]

If you're talkin about getting free CarFax reports than yes, posting your VIN online puts the person doing you a favor at risk.

Other than that who cares?

[Red coupe]

If you're talkin about getting free CarFax reports than yes, posting your VIN online puts the person doing you a favor at risk.

Other than that who cares?

I think he started it after the Dealer spammer guy started a thread saying he would check your vin for recalls.

The first few responses were about not giving out your vin number, and jokes about if he wanted your SSN too.

We are both with you on the "who cares"Apparently a lot of others are not.

[Zydeco]

cant be much worse then posting you license plate in your sig.

[dusred]

Yeah, I gathered that from that other thread.



Maybe Datte was just being a smart a**? (wow what a novel idea )

[szh]

Used for what?

I don't know. :shrug I just feel that it isn't necessary to post any information that could, in theory, be used to look up potentially private information at sites. Why bother posting the number for no rhyme or reason to do so?

Anyway, I may not have been clear ... FWIW, I was merely pointing out that "drive-by" looks at the VIN are far more difficult and less likely to be an issue than posting the number on the Internet - if there are any possible misdeeds that could be done.

Z

[PEZi]

sTm[-HeavyHips]cant be much worse then posting you license plate in your sig.

yeah i don't care about that one either

wanna run my plate and see where my truck is??? ok! just be aware its in my garage.... which you can't get to without crossing me and a gun first

[4WOFURY]

Can be used to make a key at a dealership, too, afaik.

[Red coupe]

Can be used to make a key at a dealership, too, afaik.

I REALLY doubt this considering it displayed on your dashboard, visable from outside of the car.

[PoorManQ45]

Actually that is true.

The serial of the ignition is linked to the serial in the VIN. This is used to make a key

[Mr1der]

noo...it's not that easy.

otherwise you'd see a lot of cars jacked from lots and off auctions on ebay.

[Red coupe]

Actually that is true.

The serial of the ignition is linked to the serial in the VIN. This is used to make a key

I am sure the dealer CAN make a key based on the VIN...

The part I doubt is that anyone can walk in with a VIN and get a key made.

I guess if they have a criminal friend working at the dealership... But in that case why would they look up cars on the internet, then fly out to them instead of just finding local cars?

And if the car is local, they don't need you to post the vin, they can just go get it.

[dusred]

They will make you a key from the VIN number but you have to show that you are the registered owner of the car. A corrupt dealer employee could do it for you, though if you bribed him/her enough.

[krash]

we have TONS of VINs in the 240sx convertible registry....... I didn't think it was a big deal....