The Ford Escape has been around for a long time now, selling in solid quantities since its debut. As such, there are quite a few examples of that crossover out there on the roads today, in all of the markets that it’s sold. This is true in the U.S. as well as Canada, where the Ford Escape is also sold, and it has proven to be quite popular up there as well. Thus, it’s not really surprising that the Escape is also the most VIN-cloned vehicle in that same country, too.
According to Carfax, the Ford Escape ranked as the fourth most commonly VIN-cloned vehicle in Canada, a list that was topped by the Ford F-150, followed by the Ram 1500, Jeep Wrangler, Escape, Chevy Silverado, Ford Super Duty F-350, GMC Sierra, Ford Edge, Ford F-250, and Ford Explorer, with The Blue Oval dominating this list. Astoundingly, Carfax notes that this particular problem affects 372,000 vehicles in Canada alone.
VIN cloning, also known as re-vinning, is a type of automotive-focused fraud where criminals copy legitimate Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) onto stolen vehicles, taking the identity of that legit vehicle and using it to mask a stolen one. For those that unknowingly purchase a vehicle with a fraudulent VIN, they can still face serious consequences – insurance companies may deny coverage for repairs or theft, it may lose considerable resale value or be impossible to trade in or sell, and it could even be seized by law enforcement. As such, it’s important that consumers practice caution, and use a VIN fraud detection tool such as Carfax’s.
“Buying a used vehicle privately offers choice and value, but it can also expose consumers to serious risks if the vehicle they purchase has a compromised VIN,” said Shawn Vording, President of Carfax Canada. “No matter what type of used vehicle you’re buying, it should be an exciting moment in the lives of Canadians. Our customers told us that they are concerned about the continued vehicle theft and fraud problem and wanted a better way to help protect themselves from this issue when looking for a new used vehicle. VIN Fraud Check is designed to give private buyers the information needed to walk away from a suspicious deal before it becomes their problem.”
Certainly not something we see every day.
Changes to the passenger's seat, but not the driver's.
It appeared in a movie and a TV series.
