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How to tell if you’re buying a stolen car Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our mission is to help you make better financial choices by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators that provide objective and unique content. We also allow you to conduct research and compare information at no cost and help you make informed financial decisions. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers such as, but not restricted to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Make Money The products that appear on this site are from companies that pay us. This compensation could affect how and where products are displayed on the site, such as such things as the order in which they may be listed within the categories of listing, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other products for home loans. However, this compensation will affect the information we publish, or the reviews appear on this website. We do not cover the vast array of companies or financial offers that may be open to you.

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4 min read. Published October 11, 2022

Writer: Kellye Guinan. Written by personal and business finance contributor

Kellye Guinan is a freelance editor and writer who has more than five years of experience in personal finances. She also works full-time as a employee at the library in her town in which she assists the community get information about financial literacy, among other subjects.

Edited by Helen Wilbers Edited by

Helen Wilbers has been editing for Bankrate since late 2022. He is a fan of clear reporting that helps readers easily find deals and make the most appropriate choices regarding their finances. He is a specialist in auto and small business loans.

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With new car prices at new highs, you may be looking into buying a used car. Be cautious — car theft is spiking, and you don’t want to purchase a vehicle that has been stolen. In 2021, 932,329 vehicles were reported as stolen, an increase of 10.9 percent from 2020, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). There’s also the possibility that the car you are looking to buy is a cloned vehicle. Car cloning is when a car thief takes license plates, as well as registration labels from a legitimate vehicle and then puts the same on a stolen vehicle that is similar in make and model. The thief may also use counterfeit documents to sell you a brand new car. Proceed with caution when buying from a private seller or a dealership. If you feel something is off, look elsewhere. There are a lot of used automobiles available. 6 steps to check whether the car you’re considering buying is stolen. To avoid the hassle of buying a cloned car, adhere to these steps. 1. Verify the VIN thoroughly. You can verify the information with government agencies or the department of motor vehicle. You can also check the vehicle’s VIN via the NICB’s VIN Check, which is recommended by Renee Valdes, senior advice editor at Kelley Blue Book. This free service will tell you whether there are insurance documents of a lost car, or even one that is not yet recovered. “Some vehicles place the VIN inside the front driver door or on the windshield and some owners may have the VIN etched on the window or inside the engine” states Valdes. “Carmakers are trying to make it more difficult for thieves to steal VINs or create fraudulent one.” The VIN can also be stamped on the dashboard of the car. Be cautious, especially when it comes to numbers and letters that appear similar. Since the VIN must be located in multiple places, examine each to make sure they match. If not it could be because they were altered. 2. Purchase a vehicle history report Request a report on the history of your vehicle by using the VIN as suggested by Valdes. Businesses that provide car history reports include . “These aren’t expensive and are worth the cost,” says Valdes. Reports on the history of a vehicle include things such as Service history, Information on the title Liens that are held in the car’s accident history and damages Previous owners while the report will list the previous owners, it will not include the names of the owners. “If your history goes complete to date and it’s in good condition, then it’s in good hands and not stolen,” says Valdes. However, if there’s any gaps in the history, or it’s not up to the current date, it could indicate the vehicle has been stolen. 3. Do a title search You can search for a vehicle’s title using the . If the person trying to sell the car isn’t listed on the title, you’ll be able to tell that the car is stolen. The car’s title can help you identify any contradictions between what the seller is telling you in relation to the information on the title. For instance, if the car is an and the mileage was when it was sold last. 4. Ask the seller for the service records of the vehicle If the seller has you maintenance receipts, there is a better likelihood that it’s not a stolen vehicle as explained by Valdes. Examine the receipts to determine whether the VIN, make and model on the receipts match the car. Review the maintenance logs with the history of your vehicle report to determine if they’re in alignment. “A car is often a consumer’s second largest purchase,” says Valdes. “I always thought of my car as if I would sell it someday that’s why I took proper care of it and ensuring regular oil change.” In addition, inquire whether you can look up the prior bill of sale from the time that the seller purchased the vehicle. It’s not too late to inquire about the contact information of the seller as well as how much they originally bought the car for. An honest seller should not hesitate to supply you with this information. 5. Request your insurance company to conduct an inspection. Ask your insurance company if they’re willing to check a car for safety and any red flags of fraud. It is still recommended to conduct your own due diligence however, your insurance provider may be able to provide additional information to confirm that the vehicle is above the legal limit. In addition, some states and insurance companies could need to inspect your vehicle when you . This usually happens prior to the insurance company approves your insurance policy for autos. It is only needed if you’re purchasing certain types of coverage, such as . 6. Trust your gut If you think the price is too great to be true, or the seller is incredibly keen to sell you the car and is urging you to pass and go elsewhere, follow your gut. Between other sellers as well as used vehicle dealerships, there are plenty of genuine options available. There may be a difference in what the dealer informs you about the car and what you discover in your research. This isn’t necessarily a sign of a problem. There are many car owners who keep precise records. And if the car has been purchased and sold numerous times, it could have an inaccuracy. If you notice any discrepancies with no reasonable explanation then walk away. What to do if the car you’re buying has been stolen? If you discover whether the vehicle you’re purchasing is stolen, file a police report. Provide your bill of sale along with any other pertinent documents and details. Unfortunately, if the car you purchased was stolen or is or is a “cloned vehicle,” it was never really yours. This means you are not the legal owner of the vehicle and it is confiscated and returned to the correct owner. If a claim for theft has been made insurers, the car will be returned to the insurance company. The loss will be the same. If you haven’t bought the car yet, walk away without looking at it, suggests Valdes. Once you’re sure to do so, you can file the police report. The bottom line As thieves are getting craftier and more sophisticated, be aware of potential dangers and research the car thoroughly, advises Valdes. This includes doing a search on the VIN, ordering a vehicle history report, and requesting additional documents and details to identify if the car is stolen. “Don’t let yourself be swayed from taking every precaution, especially in the booming used car industry,” says Valdes.

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Written by a Personal and Business finance Contributor

Kellye Guinan is a freelance editor and writer who has more than five years ‘ experience within personal finance. She is also a full-time librarian at the local library in which she assists the community access information about financial literacy, as well as other topics.

Editor: Helen Wilbers Edited by

Helen Wilbers has been editing for Bankrate since late 2022. He values the clarity of his reporting, which helps readers confidently find deals and make the most appropriate choices regarding their finances. He specializes in auto and small business loans.

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