Integration gives UCDA member dealers direct access to Carfax Canada VIN Fraud Check
CARFAX Canada president Shawn Vording speaking at Canada's Used Car Week 2024. Photo by Jonathan Fredin.
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Carfax Canada has taken another step to help Canadian independent dealers in the battle against VIN cloning.
The provider of vehicle history reports and valuation information announced it has expanded its collaboration with the Used Car Dealers Association of Ontario to integrate its VIN Fraud Check tool directly into UCDA’s dealer member portal.
“Dealers are increasingly in need of data tools to protect them, and their consumers, from fraud and theft,” said James Hamilton, Executive Director at UCDA. “The UCDA’s collaboration with Carfax Canada helps deliver more options for dealers to do their due diligence. This protects dealers so they can buy and sell with confidence.”
Unknowingly buying or selling a re-vinned vehicle can have significant financial, legal and reputational risks for Canadian dealers and their customers, Carfax said, and remains a persistent risk affecting consumers, insurance companies and other entities.
“VIN fraud remains a serious concern in the automotive industry,” Carfax Canada president Shawn Vording said. “Since launching VIN Fraud Check over a year ago, the tool has helped dealers, consumers and law enforcement agencies detect re-vinning activity.
“Extending access to UCDA members adds another layer of protection for consumers in the vehicle marketplace, and gives more dealers greater confidence in the vehicles they bring onto their lots.”
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VIN fraud, also called re-vinning or VIN cloning, occurs when someone takes the VIN from one vehicle and illegally copies it onto another. The goal is usually to hide the fact that the second vehicle is stolen, making it look legitimate so it can be sold without raising red flags.
Criminals have advanced their capabilities to commit VIN fraud by increasing the quality of forged VIN plates to mirror OEM plates and by reprogramming onboard vehicle computers that contain the original VIN.
Carfax Canada’s VIN Fraud Check is designed to analyze billions of North American VIN records to flag signs of unusual or suspicious VIN history. The VIN records include location data that allows Carfax Canada to identify patterns and inconsistencies that might otherwise go undetected.
Paired with a vehicle history report, Carfax said, VIN Fraud Check supports safer, more confident vehicle transactions nationwide.
In addition, UCDA members will have access to Carfax Canada’s Service Insights Reports, designed to predict upcoming service recommendations for incoming inventory based on the vehicle’s history, OEM maintenance schedules and any open recalls outstanding on the vehicle.
UCDA and Carfax Canada will both be represented by speakers at Canada’s Used Car Week, coming up June 16-17 in Toronto, Carfax’s Mike Foster will discuss ways to fight fraud in his session, titled “Where’s My Car Been”?
