‘Ringing’

Vehicle ‘Ringing’: An Overview

Vehicle ringing is a form of vehicle crime involving the manipulation of a stolen vehicle’s identity to mask its origin. Specifically, by re-identifying a stolen vehicle to appear as one which has been written off..

The process of ‘ringing’ utilises the identity of a salvage vehicle which is unlikely to return to the road; for example, the criminal purchases the salvage without any intention of restoring the vehicle. Instead, they remove the identification features form the damaged vehicle and swap them with the identification features on a similar (as near identical as possible) vehicle.

The stolen vehicle becomes a ‘dead ringer*‘ for the salvage one – as far as a purchaser is aware, they are acquiring a vehicle that is not stolen, unaware the ‘metal between the number plates’ is not in fact the vehicle to which the number plates refer. The original, damaged, vehicle is never restored therefore, its identity, is only associated with a vehicle bearing the marks falsely. It may be the case that a criminal uses the identity on more than one stolen vehicle but in doing so, the issue is mor likely to come to the attention of the Authorities.

  • *an exact duplicate from 19th-century horse-racing slang for a horse presented “under a false name and pedigree”, usually with implications of dishonesty. “Dead” in this case means “precise”, as in ‘dead centre’.

‘Cloning’ differs from ‘ringing’ in that the identity applied to the stolen vehicle is not taken from salvage but from a near identical vehicle, the bona fide car correctly registered against the identity. The criminal disguises the stolen status of the vehicle in their possession by cloning it to appear as though the legitimate vehicle.

Read more about cloning here.

Ringing allows thieves to sell stolen vehicles under new identities, bypassing police attention and registration systems designed to identify stolen vehicles

Vehicle ringing generally involves the following steps:

  1. Acquisition of a Stolen Vehicle: Criminals first obtain a stolen vehicle.
  2. Source of Legitimate Documentation: The second step involves obtaining the identity (typically the VIN and registration documents) of a legal vehicle. Often, this identity comes from a car that has been written off due to extensive damage or has been scrapped, yet the registration documents remain valid.
    • these are vehicle categorised as ‘S’ (Repairable Structural) or ‘N’ (Repairable Non- Structural)
    • criminals may also seek out ‘unrecorded salvage’ i.e. damaged vehicles that an insurer has not seen, no claim has been made and have avoided ‘MIAFTR’, the Motor Insurers Anti Fraud & Theft Register’ – the UK’s total loss, write-off or ‘condition alert’ database.
  3. Swapping Identifiers: The criminals then transfer the legitimate vehicle’s identifiers to the stolen car. This involves altering or replacing the VINs and licence plates. Documents will be obtained, specifically a registration document (V5C) and possibly an MoT..
  4. Sale of the ‘Rung’ Vehicle: Finally, the vehicle is sold, typically to an unsuspecting buyer, who believes they are purchasing a legitimate, second-hand vehicle.

Vehicle ringing allows criminals to profit from stolen vehicles, essentially laundering them through identity changes. Because many of the involved documents appear valid, it can be difficult for buyers and even authorities to detect a vehicle’s illegitimacy.

But, to a great extent, the process of ‘ringing’ was ‘designed out years ago – see below – likely why the activity of ‘cloning‘ appeared to come to the fore, was more commonly identified.

Authorities and automotive manufacturers have implemented several strategies to address vehicle ringing, utilizing technological, regulatory, and legal tools.

4.1 Technological Measures

Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs): VINs serve as the primary identifier for vehicles, similar to a serial number. Since the 1980s, vehicles have been legally required to bear unique VINs, which are registered in national and international databases. To prevent tampering, VINs are often stamped in multiple hard-to-reach locations on a car. However, sophisticated criminals still find ways to alter or clone VINs [4].

Electronic Vehicle History Reports: Digital records of a vehicle’s history are widely accessible to consumers and law enforcement. These reports, available through services such as Carfax and Autocheck, allow buyers to view a vehicle’s history, including past accidents, mileage readings, and ownership changes. This transparency helps prevent ringing by making it easier to identify discrepancies in a vehicle’s background [5].

Smart Keys and Immobilizers: Many modern cars are equipped with immobilizers that prevent the engine from starting unless the correct smart key is used. These technologies are effective against theft but not foolproof. Criminals may use advanced electronics to bypass immobilizers or reprogram keys to facilitate ringing.

Data-Driven Tracking Systems: In recent years, GPS tracking systems and telematics have become popular, especially among high-end vehicles. These systems not only provide real-time tracking but can also assist in vehicle recovery if a car is stolen, reducing its attractiveness for ringing. However, GPS signals can be disabled or removed, so tracking systems are not always reliable in preventing vehicle ringing [6].

4.2 Legal and Regulatory Measures

Stringent Scrutiny on Written-Off Vehicles: Many countries have tightened regulations surrounding written-off vehicles to prevent them from being used for ringing. In the UK, for example, written-off vehicles cannot legally return to the road unless they pass a thorough Vehicle Identity Check (VIC). This check helps verify that the vehicle’s identity has not been tampered with.

Increased Penalties for VIN Tampering: Laws against VIN tampering have become more severe. For example, the U.S. federal law under Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 511 criminalizes any alteration or tampering with VINs, with penalties including fines and imprisonment. These strict measures are intended to deter criminals from engaging in ringing [7].

Public Awareness Campaigns: Law enforcement agencies have undertaken public awareness campaigns to educate consumers about vehicle ringing. Potential buyers are advised to check VINs in multiple locations, verify vehicle history, and purchase from reputable sellers. Awareness helps to reduce the number of potential victims and drives down the profitability of ringing [8].

4.3 International Databases and Collaboration

INTERPOL’s Stolen Motor Vehicle Database: INTERPOL maintains an international database of stolen vehicles accessible by law enforcement agencies worldwide. This database enables cross-border tracking of stolen vehicles, aiding in the identification of vehicles that may be part of a ringing scheme [9].

EURODAC and Other Regional Cooperation Efforts: Europe has made significant strides in enhancing data-sharing across member states to address cross-border vehicle crime. The exchange of vehicle registration information allows authorities to trace stolen vehicles across borders more effectively.

5. Conclusion

Vehicle ringing remains a persistent issue, even with the advancements in automotive security and identification measures. The crime involves altering a vehicle’s identity, often by replacing identifiers with those of a legitimate, sometimes written-off vehicle, to sell the stolen vehicle undetected. Despite the serious legal and financial repercussions for unsuspecting buyers, vehicle ringing persists because of the lucrative profits associated with it.

Legal reforms, technological advancements, and public awareness campaigns are critical to combating vehicle ringing. However, as criminals adapt, ongoing developments in technology, collaboration between nations, and consumer education will continue to play vital roles in reducing the occurrence of vehicle ringing in the future.

References

  1. National Crime Agency. (2021). Vehicle Crime and Countermeasures. Retrieved from https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk.
  2. Smith, J., & Lee, R. (2019). “The Evolution of Vehicle Identity Theft.” Journal of Security Studies, 12(3), pp. 125-143.
  3. European Network on Vehicle Crime Prevention. (2020). Strategies for Preventing VIN Cloning and Ringing. Retrieved from https://envcp.eu.
  4. U.S. Department of Justice. (2022). Automotive Crime Prevention Measures. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov.
  5. Browne, H. (2021). “Digital Solutions to Vehicle Fraud Prevention.” Automotive Security Review, 18(2), pp. 45-60.
  6. INTERPOL. (2020). Stolen Motor Vehicle Database. Retrieved from https://www.interpol.int.
  7. Vehicle Fraud Task Force. (2023). Guidelines for Protecting Consumers from Vehicle Ringing.
  8. Home Office (UK). (2022). Vehicle Identity Checks and Consumer Protection.
  9. European Commission. (2021). Cross-Border Collaboration to Combat Vehicle Crime.

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