Greg's Corner

Cloned Cars Cost Kansas Drivers Big

By Greg Collier

Criminals in Kansas are increasingly using cloned vehicles to defraud unsuspecting buyers, leaving victims without legal recourse and contributing to higher insurance costs across the state. The Kansas Highway Patrol reports a growing number of these cases, in which stolen or salvaged vehicles are made to appear legitimate through fraudulent documentation and vehicle identification numbers.

A cloned vehicle is one that has had its identifying features altered to disguise its original identity. Criminals acquire the vehicle identification number (VIN) from a legally registered vehicle and use it to create fake labels and documentation that match the same make, model, and year. These forged materials are then applied to the stolen or salvaged vehicle, allowing it to be sold as if it were legitimate. Because the vehicle now carries the identity of a real, legally registered vehicle, its original history becomes concealed.

The impact on buyers can be severe. Those who unknowingly purchase a cloned vehicle often pay thousands of dollars, sometimes in cash, and have no legal claim to the vehicle once it is discovered to be stolen. They may also be unable to recover the money paid. Meanwhile, the original owners of the stolen vehicles must go through the process of proving their ownership and often receive an insurance payout that does not fully reflect the vehicle’s value. In some cases, victims may not have theft coverage at all.

This type of fraud can also lead to broader consequences. Insurance companies may be forced to pay large claims, which in turn contributes to rising premiums for all policyholders. Additionally, cloned vehicles can be used in the commission of other crimes since they are difficult to trace back to the person who altered them.

While it is difficult to quantify the exact financial toll of this scam in Kansas, even a single case can result in combined losses exceeding six figures. Buyers may lose their payment, insurers may be responsible for substantial payouts, and the original vehicle owners are often left without a car or proper compensation.

To avoid becoming a victim, prospective buyers should be cautious and research a vehicle’s history before completing a purchase. They should verify the legitimacy of the title, ensure the VIN on the vehicle matches official documents, and avoid cash transactions that are difficult to trace. Taking steps such as photographing the seller and checking identification can also help deter fraud. Ultimately, buyers should remain skeptical of prices that appear unusually low, as they may indicate a more profound issue with the vehicle’s history.

Additional information and resources for verifying a vehicle’s identity can typically be found on your state’s Highway Patrol or State Police website. The National Insurance Crime Bureau also offers a free VIN check service that can assist buyers in identifying potential cloned vehicles.