The Ford F-150 has long been one of the best-selling vehicles on earth, and has proven popular in every market that it’s sold in. As such, it’s no surprise that thieves also tend to gravitate toward the F-150 (which is why Ford is developing a new pickup cam and security plan), and it routinely ranks near or at the top of the most stolen vehicles as well. That’s true not only of the U.S., but also, Canada, which has seen its fair share of Ford F-150 theft epidemics over the years. Thus, it’s not really surprising that the F-150 is also the most VIN-cloned vehicle in that same country, too.
According to Carfax, the Ford F-150 ranked as the most commonly VIN-cloned vehicle in Canada, followed by the Ram 1500, Jeep Wrangler, Ford 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.”
A rather special example of a special car.
Closing the week at $11.68 per share.
Special lease deals on the off-roading SUV.
Which could enhance audio based on where people are standing.
He was pretty excited about it, too.
The agency wants automakers to incorporate impaired driving prevention tech.
