Stolen Vehicle Recovered in Yuba City After VIN Swap Scheme Uncovered
YUBA CITY, CA — “This week, the Yuba City Police Department recovered a stolen 2021 GMC Yukon Denali that had been reported stolen from Florida. The vehicle had undergone a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) swap and was fraudulently re-registered here in California.
Real VS False VIN Info – Courtesy of Yuba City PD
A VIN swap involves removing or altering a vehicle’s original Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and replacing it with one from a different vehicle, often one that is legally owned, salvaged, or no longer operational. This tactic is used to conceal the fact that a vehicle is stolen and make it appear legitimate for resale.
In this case, a simple Google search of the VIN displayed on the Yukon would have shown that the vehicle it belonged to had been completely burned, raising immediate red flags. Basic research like this can provide publicly available information that could help prevent you from becoming a victim of auto fraud.
🚨 What You Should Know:
✅ Always have a used vehicle inspected by a trusted professional, not just for mechanical issues, but also to check for signs of VIN tampering or theft.
✅ Ensure the VIN on the dashboard, door, and engine bay match the title and registration. Compare the VIN and other required Federal labels to a similar vehicle to see if they look the same. The false ones are always similar, but when compared side by side, you can tell the difference.
✅ Run a vehicle history report and even perform a quick online search of the VIN to uncover any past incidents.
Buying a vehicle is a major investment. Taking a few extra steps can protect you from financial loss and from unknowingly purchasing stolen property.”
