OT BUYERS WANTING VIN NUMBER

lenray · Apr 3, 2017

Have 8 tractors here---I have a couple vehicles for sale. Have calls or emails wanting the VIN NUMBER. I understand they are probably checking the vehicle history. Any problems with giving the numbers to strangers???????
Thanks

ditchwitch · Apr 3, 2017

shouldnt be any . They just wanting to pull a car fax on them.

jon f mn · Apr 3, 2017

Scammers will sometimes use that to try to scare you into thinking it is stolen and they want it back. They get the serial or vin number then claim it has been stolen in the hopes that you don't have proof that it is yours. For autos with titles it shouldn't be an issue, but for other stuff ifyou don't have a reciept and they can fabricate one, they will make their claims. Usually they won't try to come get it, just pressurre you into paying for it. But there have been cases where they have shown up to get stuff.

Mike M · Apr 3, 2017

I bought a fairly new (used) Kubota one time. I checked the VIN number with the local dealer just to make sure there was not anything owed on it that could somehow come back on me. All was fine.
If a car they are likely wanting to do a carfax check. Thing about that is if it was wrecked while a dealer owned it would be repaired and no one would know about it.

DoubleR · Apr 3, 2017

I brought a 6 year old used Kubota off Tractor House a couple years ago. It was 500 miles away. I give the serial number to my local dealer and got the history on it. The tractor was cheap in comparison to most like it. I was more concerned about a lien on it or it being reported stolen. I got it from a JD dealer and he was selling it for the family from an estate as I found out. They just wanted it gone.

I see no problem with a potential buyer wanting the serial number. I've been looking for a upgrade on my feed grinder. If I get close on one I will want the serial number on it before I buy it to research it with my local dealer.

jacksun65 · Apr 3, 2017

Had a neighbor bought a tractor paid regular price year took it to dealer for service found a lein bank came and took it.

Bob · Apr 3, 2017

For those who think it's perfectly safe to give out a VIN to a stranger...
VIN cloning

BobReeves · Apr 3, 2017

Car dealers post vin numbers on the web in the sale adds, must not be a big deal or they wouldn't do it.

pete black · Apr 3, 2017

knew a man that financed a jd with a local bank and he when he gave the bank the serial number he changed the number by one letter/digit and the bank failed to catch it. later he defaulted and when bank came to reprocess it they could not because the serial number of tractor did not match banks records. not sure of final outcome.

Geo-TH,In · Apr 3, 2017

There are no serial Numbers on my Jubilee. The ford boys said the early Jubilee's had numbers stamped on engine and later on bell housing. So it's possible my engine was traded in on a rebuilt one. I got a newer engine with no numbers.

Not sure when vin numbers were put on tractors. I thought the older ones just had serial numbers to tell when they were manufactured.

Are vin numbers used when there is a title?

My 2004 terramite has serial numbers welded to underside of frame on both sides.

lenray · Apr 3, 2017

Getting a lot of replies concerning tractor serial numbers etc.--I mentioned I have 8 tractors, but we are selling two autos Lincoln MKZ and a Lincoln Navigator. I am just not comfortable giving strangers the vin number to our autos. Maybe I am just being overly cautious concerning this. Thanks for the replies.

Ray · Apr 3, 2017

I wouldn't give the Vin number to anyone over the phone.If there not going to show up and look at it why do they need a vin number.

WGM · Apr 3, 2017

Looks like an urban legend.

TominKy · Apr 3, 2017

If you park in a public parking lot your vin is in plain view.

Gambles · Apr 3, 2017

I completely understand if a seller will not give out the VIN number over the phone or through email. However, I have purchased several Ford vehicles through Craigslist and I always ask for the VIN number. I then run the VIN through a buddy of mine who is a Ford parts man so that he can tell me the history of the vehicle and if there are any outstanding recalls. I've never been turned down whenever I ask for the VIN, but if I would, I'd simply move on to the next vehicle.

Leroy · Apr 3, 2017

I believe it could very well be fact.

Leroy · Apr 3, 2017

They would only get it if I was standing there watching them mark it down. If you are not that interested in seeing it could be what you want before asking for it I would be very hesitant.

BobReeves · Apr 4, 2017

Do not understand the paranoia at all. As someone else mentioned, one can walk through a Wal-Mart parking lot and write down all the VIN and tag numbers anyone could possibly want. Plus as I said, every car dealership I have visited on-line lists the VIN number of the car they are selling in the add.

I see absolutely nothing bad about giving the VIN to a potential buyer and like someone else has said. If I couldn't get the VIN and run a CarFax I would simply move to the next one.

JOCCO · Apr 4, 2017

Not sure here but I know online ads it is common to block out the licence plate. Firearms they do the same thing to serial number. I am about 50/50 on if they are not interested enough to come look at it why bother.

rockyridgefarm · Apr 4, 2017

There was a lady here in town that was a victim of the VIN scam. I'm not 100% sure how it works, but the vehicle she bought was for sale in the Chicago area and reported stolen in Florida. The thieves lifted a VIN off a very similar vehicle in Massachusetts and requested a lost title from the state. Once they had the title in hand, this lady registered the vehicle in Wisconsin. No one was the wiser for about two years until the person in Massachusetts tried to sell their vehicle.

Here's a link to the story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUXcQruPXT0

The story isn't exactly right because she bought it through the dealer, not from the dealer. They did the paperwork, but she bought it off CL. Ubersox is the dealer. They're one of those dealers that send you scratch-offs all the time. I wouldn't get my oil changed there, let alone buy a car.

Now if you're trying to sell a 1998 Taurus, you're likely safe. But if you're selling a $30k pickup, you should be cautious.

BarnyardEngineering · Apr 4, 2017

(quoted from post at 11:15:36 04/03/17) For those who think it's perfectly safe to give out a VIN to a stranger...
VIN cloning

The scammers don't need your VIN number to do that. Every manufacturer's system for VIN numbers is well documented somewhere. They can just generate their own.

oldtanker · Apr 4, 2017

(quoted from post at 13:02:52 04/03/17) I wouldn't give the Vin number to anyone over the phone.If there not going to show up and look at it why do they need a vin number.

Ray why would you drive out to see a vehicle, say 200 miles, get the vin and then return home to run a car report and or run the vin through the local cop shop to make sure it's not stolen? If I were to call on a vehicle and the seller refused to give the VIN I'd suspect the vehicle was stolen. And I ain't driving 200 miles to look at a stolen vehicle. If local I would suspect stolen or that the seller wants me there to rob me or to simply try to strong arm a sale. So even if I had cash in hand you would have just missed an opportunity to sell it.

Rick

Leroy · Apr 4, 2017

My question is WHY MESS WITH CAR FAX. I don't pay any attention to something like that. I think that is the scam.

OT BUYERS WANTING VIN NUMBER

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