Crooks Use Stolen IDs to Take Vehicles, Reports NICB

October 9, 2014

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has noticed an uptick in the use of more sophisticated schemes to steal cars as new vehicle technology makes methods like hot-wiring almost obsolete. These findings highlight a growing trend in “financial fraud” auto theft.

Even though these vehicles are technically stolen by crooks, the methods they use for the theft—in legal terms—constitute financial fraud, the NICB explained in a news release. Consequently, these stolen vehicles are not counted as auto thefts, partially explaining a continual decline in auto theft crime statistics over the past two decades.

One such ploy involves the use of stolen forms of identification, such as fake drivers’ licenses and personal information stolen from identity theft victims. Stolen IDs are used to fraudulently lease or obtain loans to procure new vehicles. Once the crooks drive the vehicle off the lot, they never make scheduled payments. Often instead, these cars are re-sold to unsuspecting buyers after the scammers switch the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs).

Unfortunately for investigators, there is currently no central database that quantifies these crimes.

“Trying to put a number on these kinds of thefts is a challenge,” said NICB President and CEO Joe Wehrle. “It’s comparable to a hacker stealing IDs—you don’t know you’re a victim until it’s too late. Most of these thefts don’t show up in traditional crime reporting numbers and become financial losses for lenders, car rental companies and others. The result is millions of dollars added to the cost of doing business which is ultimately passed on to consumers.”

NICB advises consumers to frequently check their credit reports for signs that someone else is using their identity to take out new loans.

Because these types of “white collar” crimes have become more widespread, the NICB has launched a new series to draw attention to the growing trend in order to raise public awareness and thwart these types of auto thefts. Over the next few months, NICB will expose other new schemes that criminals are using to steal cars besides using stolen IDs.