VIN etching
{{Short description|Vehicle identification method}}
{{Globalize|1=article|2=United States|date=July 2020}}
In the United States, VIN etching is a countermeasure to motor vehicle theft, that involves etching a vehicle's VIN onto its windows to reduce the value of a stolen vehicle to thieves. The Federal Trade Commission includes VIN etching on a list of upsold services including extended warranties, service and maintenance plans, payment programs, guaranteed automobile or asset protection, emergency road service, and other theft protection devices, and warns consumers about the practice of upselling when buying a vehicle.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-13 |title=Motor Vehicle Dealers Trade Regulation Rule Posted by the Federal Trade Commission on Jul 13, 2022 |url=https://www.regulations.gov/document/FTC-2022-0046-0001/}}
Description
VIN etching uses a variety of methods, commonly a stencil and an acidic etching paste, to engrave a vehicle's vehicle identification number (VIN) onto the windshield and windows. Most parts on a vehicle already have at least a partial VIN stamped onto them, and many auto parts buyers will not purchase parts that carry identification numbers. Should a thief try to sell the parts from a vehicle for profit, those marked parts carry a higher risk for the thief and the auto parts seller. Since automotive glass generally does not have identification numbers and is often interchangeable among many different years and models of vehicles, it usually yields a much greater profit for a thief compared to other components on the vehicle; because a vehicle's windows are stamped with the VIN, thieves would need to discard the glass before "parting out" the stolen vehicle, thus reducing or eliminating their profit.{{cite web |url=http://culpepersheriffsoffice.com/programs/vin-etching/ |website=Culpeper County Sheriff's Office |title=VIN Etching |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926105644/http://culpepersheriffsoffice.com/programs/vin-etching/ |archive-date=2010-09-26 }} VIN etching can also increase the odds of recovery of a stolen car by police.{{cite web|url=http://www.lehigh.edu/~inlpd/vin.html |website=Lehigh University Police Department|title= VIN Etching Program|access-date= May 4, 2010}}
VIN etching is recommended by police departments, insurance agencies, and government automobile/vehicle theft prevention agencies{{Cite web|url=https://aata.az.gov/programs/vin-etching|title=VIN Etching {{!}} Arizona Automobile Theft Authority|website=aata.az.gov|access-date=2019-02-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.heatreward.com/prevention/vin-etching.aspx|title=VIN Etching|website=www.heatreward.com|language=en|access-date=2019-02-22}} This service is sometimes offered free of charge at sponsored events.{{cite web|website=Allstate Blog|url=http://blog.allstate.com/vin-etching-deter-car-thieves-and-recover-your-stolen-vehicle/?intcid=ILC-Internal-Search-Results-120808:etching:result%201|title=VIN etching}}{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/VIN-Etching-Can-Deter-Thieves.html |work=NBC |location=San Diego |title=VIN Etching Can Deter Thieves}}{{cite web|website=New York City Police Department|title=Frequently Asked Questions|url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/faq/faq_community.shtml|access-date=9 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115014621/http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/faq/faq_community.shtml|archive-date=15 January 2012}}{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Dylan|title=Police: Free VIN etching can deter thieves|url=http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/120111_vin_etching/police-free-vin-etching-can-deter-car-thieves/|work=Tucson Sentinel|access-date=9 January 2012}}{{cite web|title=Governor's Auto Theft Strike Force|url=http://www.mass.gov/eopss/crime-prev-personal-sfty/governors-auto-theft-strike-force.html|website=Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security|access-date=9 January 2012}}{{Cite web|url=https://aata.az.gov/programs/vin-etching|title=VIN Etching {{!}} Arizona Automobile Theft Authority|website=aata.az.gov|access-date=2019-02-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://watchyourcar.org/press_releases/atpa-holds-vinetching-training-for-law-enforcement/|title=The Pennsylvania Auto Theft Prevention Authority|language=en|access-date=2019-02-22}}
Vehicles with VIN-etched windows may be eligible for insurance rate reductions of as much as 15% in some US states.{{cite book|title=The Impact of Auto Theft Trends on Auto Insurance Rates|date=July 2011|publisher=Michigan's Automobile Theft Prevention Authority|pages=13|url=http://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/Final_2011_Biennial_Insurance_Report_Rev_6_17_11_AM_355929_7.pdf}}{{cite book|title=New York State Insurance Department 2010 Consumer Guide to Automobile Insurance|year=2010|publisher=New York State Insurance Department|pages=II-1|url=http://www.dfs.ny.gov/insurance/auto/2010/autods10.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119071416/http://www.dfs.ny.gov/insurance/auto/2010/autods10.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-01-19}}{{cite web|title=Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Recommendations|url=http://www.nola.gov/Government/NOPD/Crime%20Prevention.aspx|website=City of New Orleans|access-date=9 January 2012}}
Some automobile dealers try to include VIN etching as an extra service to boost their profit margin when selling a vehicle;{{cite news|url=http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/car-buying-advice/guide-to-new-car-buying/at-the-dealership/common-car-buying-mistakes/index.htm|title=Common Car Buying Mistakes|work=Consumer Reports|access-date=9 January 2012}}{{cite news|last=Edgerton|first=Jerry|title=Auto Finance: Watch Out for These Dealer Scams|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/auto-finance-watch-out-for-these-dealer-scams/|work=CBS Money Watch|publisher=CBS News|access-date=9 January 2012}} they may even pre-print a charge for VIN etching on the bill of sale, as if to suggest that VIN etching is mandatory rather than an optional, add-on service.{{cite news|last=Elliott|first=Hannah|title=Car Dealer Scams To Avoid|url=https://www.forbes.com/2010/03/11/car-dealer-scams-lifestyle-vehicles-forbes-woman-car-dealers.html|work=Forbes|access-date=9 January 2012}}{{cite web|title=L.I. Auto Dealerships Cited for Tricking Consumers into Paying for Unwanted "Extras"|url=http://www.ag.ny.gov/media_center/2004/aug/aug31a_04.html|work=NY State Office of the Attorney General|access-date=9 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119015102/http://www.ag.ny.gov/media_center/2004/aug/aug31a_04.html|archive-date=19 November 2010}} Inflated dealership fees of $200 to $2,000 for VIN etching are not unheard of.{{Cite news|url=http://www.fi-magazine.com/channel/dps-office/news/story/2017/12/ny-ag-sues-two-dealerships-over-theft-product.aspx|title=NY AG Sues Two Dealerships Over the Sale of Etch|access-date=2018-05-13|quote=regarding a charge of $1,995 for “Etch” on her bill of sale}} However, consumer advocates note that while some states do require that dealers offer VIN etching, no states require that consumers purchase it from the dealer.{{cite news|title= Ways Dealers Make You Pay Extra|url=http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/car-buying-advice/guide-to-new-car-buying/pricing/how-dealers-make-you-pay/0702mak0.htm|work=Consumer Reports|access-date=9 January 2012}}
Consumers who want to have the VIN etched on their vehicle windows but are unable to find a free etching service in their area can often save hundreds of dollars over the dealership fee by using a do-it-yourself VIN etching kit purchased from an Internet retailer or a local auto parts dealer, for as little as $20–25.
References
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