Summary:
Car identity theft is an often-overlooked threat that can seriously impact your personal and financial security. While most people take steps to protect their own identity, they may not realize how vulnerable their vehicle is. A car’s license plate and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) are publicly displayed, making it easy for criminals to misuse them. These identifiers can be exploited in several scams that cause real harm to car owners.
Common scams include VIN swapping, where criminals place your car’s clean VIN on a stolen or damaged vehicle to sell it fraudulently. In one case, Ohio buyers lost $33,000 on a car purchased through Facebook Marketplace with a swapped VIN. VINs can also be used to hack into modern vehicles, as they reveal software versions and potential vulnerabilities. Stolen license plates are often used on stolen cars to avoid detection or to rack up tolls and traffic violations, leaving the original owner responsible. Even though license plates don’t directly reveal your identity, they can be used alongside other information to build a profile for identity theft.
Protecting your car’s identity is difficult because license plates must remain visible, and VINs are often easily accessible. However, you can take precautions. Regularly check your VIN at the National Insurance Crime Bureau site to detect fraudulent use. Park your car in a garage or off the street when possible. Limit how often you share your full VIN and use secure methods when required, such as sharing a partial VIN or providing a third-party history report. Finally, install tamper-proof screws or anti-theft covers on your license plates to make them harder to steal. Staying vigilant is key to preventing your vehicle from becoming the target of identity-related crimes.
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