an easy way cars are being stolen

[minks]

Subject: FYI car thefts



Edmonton Police Service

Co-operative Policing/Merchant Crime Alert Program 9620-103A Ave.

Edmonton , Alberta Phone Number (780) 421-3545

Seems that car thieves have found yet another way to steal your car or

truck without any effort at all. The car thieves peer through the

windshield of your car or truck, 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 a friend at 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 tape (electrical tape, duct tape or medical tape)

across the VIN 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.

Detective Scott Hobbs, Calgary Police Service