In a bid to address rising cases of VIN cloning in Canada, CARFAX Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are expanding public-private data sharing, adding a new layer to vehicle fraud detection efforts through enhanced Vehicle History Reports.
CARFAX Canada launched its latest consumer tool, Vehicle Monitoring, which alerts vehicle owners to potential vehicle identification number (VIN) fraud and safety concerns. The subscription-based service is available across Canada for an annual fee of $84.95 and provides real-time alerts on VIN activity, notifications of suspected VIN fraud, and monthly refreshed vehicle history reports.
Vehicle Monitoring operates similarly to credit monitoring services by tracking VIN-related activities and notifying owners of changes in their vehicle records. CARFAX Canada stated that over 1,000 VINs are compromised daily in Canada. The company estimates more than 372,000 VINs may have been cloned in the country. In 2024, about 69,000 vehicles were reported stolen nationwide.
Shawn Vording, president of CARFAX Canada, said consumers often discover their VIN has been cloned only when attempting to trade or sell their vehicle. If the vehicle is found to be the clone, it may be seized by authorities. If a consumer’s VIN was used as the donor, they may face a lengthy process to prove ownership of the authentic vehicle.
VIN cloning, also known as re-vinning, involves using the identity of a legitimate vehicle to disguise a stolen or salvaged one. CARFAX Canada said affected owners can experience vehicle seizure, insurance claim denials, decreased resale value, and complications from potential criminal associations tied to the cloned VIN.
To complement its consumer tool, CARFAX Canada has integrated CBSA’s export data into its vehicle history reports. The data helps detect VIN fraud by identifying instances where a vehicle shows Canadian activity despite being exported. Vording said a vehicle should not generate Canadian activity, such as service records or accident reports, after being exported abroad.
He added that the collaboration with CBSA addresses data gaps that enable fraudulent activities. Ontario’s associate solicitor general for auto theft and bail reform, Zee Hamid, commented that early detection tools, supported by data from CBSA, improve transparency and security in the vehicle marketplace.
CARFAX Canada, a subsidiary of S&P Global, offers vehicle history, valuation, and service solutions. The company collaborates with dealers, law enforcement, insurers, and government entities.
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