CARFAX Canada Expands VIN Fraud Detection Efforts with New Consumer Tool and Data Source

LONDON, ON - CARFAX Canada is proud to announce its latest advancement in VIN fraud detection with the launch of a new consumer tool, Vehicle Monitoring, a first-of-its-kind tool for Canadian consumers. This development builds on CARFAX Canada’s recent launch of the VIN Fraud Check tool for dealers, and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) export data being shared with CARFAX Canada, reinforcing the company’s position as a leader in the fight against VIN fraud and vehicle theft.

CARFAX Canada Vehicle Monitoring is a subscription-based program designed to provide Canadian vehicle owners with early detection of potential vehicle identification number (VIN) fraud, safety issues and other critical details about their vehicle. Vehicle Monitoring is available nationwide for an annual fee of $84.95 and includes real time VIN activity alerts, VIN fraud alerts, and a monthly refreshed Vehicle History Report.

Just like credit monitoring tracks changes to your credit and alerts you to potential fraud, Vehicle Monitoring tracks activity on your VIN and additions to your vehicle’s history. If you don’t recognize the activity on your VIN, it is a sign to investigate it right away. With over 1,000 VINs compromised daily in Canada¹, staying informed of your vehicle’s history is more important than ever.

“Unfortunately, we hear this story from Canadians too often, they don’t find out their vehicle’s VIN has been cloned until it’s too late—usually when they try to trade it in or sell it,” said Shawn Vording, president of CARFAX Canada. “If the consumer’s vehicle is determined to be the clone, it is seized. If the consumer’s VIN was used as the donor, they have a lengthy and frustrating process to go through to prove their car is the authentic vehicle. Early detection in both cases is key, and that’s what inspired us to build Vehicle Monitoring, helping owners take action sooner, reducing the stress and legwork of untangling a VIN fraud incident.”

CARFAX Canada estimates that there are over 372,000 potentially cloned VINs in Canada². VIN cloning, or “re-vinning” is a form of auto fraud where the identity of a legitimate vehicle is stolen and used to mask a stolen or salvaged one. This issue continues to be a problem for Canadians, as approximately 69,000 vehicles were reported stolen in 2024.³

Innocent Canadians whose vehicle identification has been stolen may experience consequences such as vehicle seizure by authorities, denial of insurance coverage for repairs or theft, a significant drop in resale value, inability to sell or trade in the vehicle, or even being wrongly associated with someone else’s criminal activities.

“CARFAX Canada’s Vehicle Monitoring tool marks yet another important step forward in combating VIN fraud,” said Ontario’s Associate Solicitor General for Auto Theft and Bail Reform, Zee Hamid. “By equipping owners with early detection tools and leveraging the Canadian Border Services Agency’s critical data, CARFAX Canada enhances transparency and security in the vehicle marketplace. I commend their efforts to safeguard Canadians and Ontarians from the impacts of auto fraud.”

In a move to further enhance VIN fraud detection measures, CARFAX Canada has integrated CBSA’s export data into their Vehicle History Reports at no additional cost. The sharing of this critical data aims to curb VIN fraud across the country by helping CARFAX Canada detect potential VIN fraud with greater precision. 

"In addition to the comprehensive data already available on CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Reports, the addition of export data will make them an even more powerful tool for car dealers, buyers, insurers, law enforcement agencies and governments to detect potential VIN fraud,” said Vording. “CARFAX Canada provides fraud checks on vehicles that are registered in North America and now, through the addition of the CBSA data, can also detect fraudulent VINs that have left North America. If a VIN continues to have Canadian history show up on the report after it’s been exported to another country, that's a red flag. A vehicle should not be generating Canadian activity such as getting an oil change or being involved in an accident once it’s supposedly overseas.”

"Working with CBSA is a testament to the power of collaboration between the private sector and government to safeguard Canadians," adds Vording. "Gaps in data create opportunities for criminals, and CBSA’s data is critical to our commitment to help close some of those gaps, making it harder for criminals to get away with VIN fraud."

Tackling auto fraud requires a coordinated, industry-wide response. Through cooperation with dealers, law enforcement and all levels of government, the addition of new data partners, and the delivery of tools like VIN Fraud Check for dealers and Vehicle Monitoring for consumers, CARFAX Canada remains committed to enhancing transparency and strengthening security across Canada’s vehicle marketplace.

For more information or to subscribe to Vehicle Monitoring, visit: https://www.carfax.ca/vehicle-monitoring-subscription