- VIN Cloning Is a Hidden but Costly Car Scam
What You Need to Know
VIN cloning is a sophisticated form of auto fraud where criminals steal a vehicle and disguise it using a copied Vehicle Identification Number from a similar make, model, and year. Scammers physically replace the stolen car’s VIN plate with a cloned one, then sell the vehicle using documents that appear legitimate.
Because standard VIN and Carfax checks often show clean results, buyers may unknowingly purchase a stolen car. In many cases, the fraud isn’t discovered until years later—when law enforcement seizes the vehicle—leaving the buyer without the car and potentially without their money.
What You Should Do
To reduce your risk, always take extra steps beyond a basic VIN lookup. Verify that all VIN locations on the vehicle match, including the dashboard and driver-side door frame, and inspect the VIN plate for signs of tampering. Compare the VIN on the car to the title, registration, and insurance documents, and carefully review a trusted vehicle history report for inconsistencies.
Most importantly, have a trusted mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, especially when buying from private sellers or online marketplaces. When something feels rushed, unusually priced, or “too clean,” slow down—VIN cloning relies on trust and urgency to succeed.
Think you are being scammed? Call our scam hotline or email us for help:
(801)-724-6211
scamwatch@invisus.com
