It is still possible to buy a car with a scraped-off serial number when you purchase it in person or at auctions like ABETTERBID rather than via a dealership. We will tell you more about it and demonstrate how VIN numbers can be changed.

How hijackers can tamper with VIN numbers

Every car has a vehicle identification number (vin) issued to each car during the manufacturing process. Despite the long combination and defensive texture features that the VIN code provides, scammers are able to remove the number and even completely change it. There are two forms of VIN fraud that are commonly encountered. First, the criminal takes the car and seeks to legitimize it in a variety of methods, including by altering the VIN number. The second way is to get a valid identification number as well as any essential documentation. After that, they only need to select a similar car to steal. That's why it is important to do a free vin lookup and purchase cars through good third parties like SCA.

You should be familiar with how scammers can interfere with vehicle identification numbers. There are a variety of approaches that may be used. The first way is to substitute characters that look the same as numbers, such as "3" replacing "Z" and "8" replacing "9," by typing the appropriate letter or number instead of real ones. The other way is to replace details with the old VIN and put a new one in its place.

It all depends on the car model. It is quite tough to make changes in some models while it is a lot easier on others. It's quite a hard task to do. The engine must be dismantled and ground in order to generate a new serial number. Only genuine professionals who can perform at a high level can do so, and there aren't many of them. They probably would earn more money doing good honest jobs repairing cars instead of scamming people. Usually, it is possible to find out that the VIN number has been tampered is to validate it in a special service.

Signs of a tampered VIN number

What method can you use to find out the fictional VIN number? The following are the most common ways of determining legitimacy. The first one is by doing a visual examination. This is the most straightforward option, although it is not always reliable. Tampered VIN numbers may be distinguished by the varying depths of the signs and their distances. The factory symbols are all the same size and form and have the same font as the original stamping technique. Criminologists can easily find out any discrepancies by putting together each of the figures on a special display. The second way of identifying the tampered VIN number is by looking at it under mechanical rattling. No matter how much mechanical force is applied to it, the original license plate remains immovable. The third way is by examining the paintwork using a magnifying glass. The colors around the numbers should be the same as those seen on the other VIN plates of the vehicle.