Car Thieves Steal Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) in Ontario Heist

This article discusses the rise of VIN fraud, specifically “re-vinning,” where a stolen vehicle is given a new, legitimate VIN, often by cloning an existing one. This practice causes meaningful problems for buyers and legitimate vehicle owners. Carfax, a vehicle history report company, is introducing new tools to monitor VIN activity and alert customers to potential fraud. They are also incorporating export data to track disguised vehicles. VIN fraud is linked to organized crime and contributes to the growing problem of car theft in Canada, which resulted in over $1 billion in insurance losses in 2024. While the provincial government has tightened registration systems, critics argue that more barriers are needed to prevent thieves from exploiting the system. The article also highlights a case involving a dealership and a company with ties to a past shooting, suggesting potential corruption within the registration process.