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Is it safe to give out the VIN number of your car? Someone posted an ad online saying they work at a dealership and do repair work on the side. I responded and inquired about some work I'd like to have done to the car and he requested the VIN number and said that he could also take care of any recalls they car might have at the same time. I read this about people using VIN #'s to obtain duplicate keys and I got a little concerned:
I wouldn't worry too much... It falls into the same category of people who get nervous when they expose their license plate in a photograph, it's almost as if they forgot that everyone driving on the road sees it everyday. Same goes with the vin... depending on its location you can just walk up to any windshield and jot it down... along with the plate number!
Is it safe to give out the VIN number of your car? Someone posted an ad online saying they work at a dealership and do repair work on the side. I responded and inquired about some work I'd like to have done to the car and he requested the VIN number and said that he could also take care of any recalls they car might have at the same time. I read this about people using VIN #'s to obtain duplicate keys and I got a little concerned:
Vehicle Identification Numbers are safe to "give out." I cannot buy anything more sophisticated than a key fob at the local GM dealership without it. VIN's are unique: Take a VIN to the parts counter of the corresponding dealership and request a "build sheet" and a service history," and be amazed at the information provided. If you're an auto fanatic, the VIN is like a "fingerprint" of your car (or, "DNA" if you will). No cause to worry about "Vehicle Identity Theft. Without a VIN, you have no prior owner vehicle history to track either. Using CarFax and/or Experian Auto Check, the VIN gives you a comprehensive background on any auto you own or are interested in owning (I used AutoCheck extensively while searching for my wife's present car). When ordering parts or getting repairs, the VIN is your (and mechanic's) best friend.
What other have said. Also, anybody can see the VIN number of your car by looking-in through the windshield. It's on the dashboard right by the lower edge of the windshield on the driver's side.
i know this thread is old but someone just asked a friend of mine to share their VIN on a car forum, i cant see the reason why, VIN unveil more then the car type and history, they tell who owns it, their address details etc., which seems to be irrelevant to share in a thread about a car battery dead and how to get it charged back up or replaced, so im asking if i am wrong about this because i found websites that do check VIN numbers and tell you the make of car, model an year, beyond that they offer car owner details and history of car for extra money.
When looking up replacement parts for vehicles, some go by VIN...specifically the last 5-6 digits or so. They usually specify the part as "VIN after xxx76000" or something like that.
If the question is regarding replacement battery, then the question about a VIN could be appropriate. A lot of manufacturers parts departments look up parts based on Vin as well. A lot easier than asking someone questions about their car that they have no idea what the answer is. " Do you have the sport tuned suspension?". " Um?? I only know how to turn on the radio."
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Vin
