How to avoid being a victim of VIN cloning

The quest for a used car can lead to getting a well-maintained model for a price considerably lower than the original. Lower insurance costs and reduced registration fees are other factors that make the purchase of a used car so much more tantalizing. But buying a used car is also fraught with the risk of becoming a hapless victim of common car scams, one of which is ‘VIN cloning’.

What is VIN cloning?

VIN cloning refers to an intricate scam that involves stealing a car, taking a VIN or Vehicle Identification Number from a car of a similar make and model and using it to make fake VIN plates for the stolen car.

If you are sold a stolen car, you are paying money for something that is not, technically, yours. If your vehicle is discovered to be stolen, it will be confiscated and you’ll be left with nothing but resentment and a faint chance of recovering the money lost if the laws in your state require a faulty car dealer to pay up for selling a stolen vehicle.

How can you safeguard yourself from VIN cloning?

When buying used cars, you can take certain steps to ascertain that you aren’t buying a stolen vehicle.

• ·        Ask for a vehicle history report

Once you have access to a vehicle history report, tally the current odometer display with the reported mileage. Multiple registrations in different locations over a short period of time should raise a red flag.

• ·        Check the VIN in multiple locations in the car

Check that the VIN plate on the dashboard, driver’s door sticker and car frame match with each other and do not display any signs of tampering. Also, see if the VIN on the car matches with the vehicle history report and service history documents.

• ·        Be wary of unbelievably low prices

If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Beware of prices lower than what other car dealers are asking for the same make and model. Ask a qualified mechanic to check the car for signs of VIN cloning if you are doubtful.

Buying a used car, whether in Houston, Texas, or other US cities, requires you to be vigilant and skeptical. No one wants to be a victim of a scam and there’s no reason that you should be one. Using a reputable website for buying used cars can also serve to scaffold you from a sour experience. SoloAutos is a website that helps residents of Houston and other Texas cities find used cars available with authorized car dealerships and credible car owners. The site only lists used cars in Houston that have passed a benchmark test for legitimate ownership, maintenance and performance.