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Every car has a VIN, which you should check so that you can perform a search. The VIN is made up of 17 characters and is like the car's Social Security Number. Don't just accept whatever VIN the seller gives you. Instead, thoroughly inspect the vehicle yourself to find the VIN. You can find the VIN in the following places: lower-left corner of the dashboard in front of the steering wheel inside the driver-side doorjamb in the rear wheel well directly above the tire in the front of the car frame, near the container that holds windshield washer fluid the front of the engine block underneath the spare tire The entire VIN label should be securely fastened to the vehicle without any loose corners. Also check for scratches, tears, or gouge marks. Also run your fingers over the VIN label. It should be smooth to the touch. If it is scratchy, then it may have been tampered with. The VIN label should not be obscured with a screw or plug. If so, the owner might be trying to hide the VIN. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has a VINCheck database which collects the VINs for vehicles reported as stolen. Enter the VIN at the NICB website. You can perform five searches within 24 hours. If the vehicle has been stolen, call the police and report the vehicle. In the U.S., you should call the NICB at 800-835-6422 or submit an anonymous tip to TIP411. You can also call your local police. Share as many details about the seller as you can: name, address, and appearance.
Find the vehicle identification number (VIN). Check that the VIN hasn't been tampered with. Search the VINCheck website. Report fraud.