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HomeVehicle CodeDiv. 4Ch. 3§ 10752 Vehicle Serial Number Fraud

§ 10752 Vehicle Serial Number Fraud

Vehicle Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Related Statutes·References
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§ 10752 Vehicle Serial Number Fraud

It is illegal to get, keep, sell, or try to sell real or fake vehicle serial numbers (like VIN stickers) if you plan to hurt, cheat, or defraud someone.

Key Takeaways

  • •You cannot acquire, keep, sell, or offer for sale any real or fake vehicle serial numbers if you intend to cause harm or fraud.
  • •The rule covers numbers from the vehicle itself or issued by state or foreign agencies.
  • •If convicted, you could go to jail for 90 days to 1 year and pay a fine between $250 and $5,000.

Example

A person steals VIN stickers from a car and sells them to a thief who wants to put them on a stolen vehicle to make it look legit.

Because the seller is trying to help the thief cheat the system, the law says the seller is breaking the rule and can be punished.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 10752 Vehicle Serial Number Fraud

(a)No person shall, with intent to prejudice, damage, injure, or defraud, acquire, possess, sell, or offer for sale any genuine or counterfeit manufacturer’s serial or identification number from or for, or purporting to be from or for, a vehicle or component part thereof. (b)No person shall, with intent to prejudice, damage, injure, or defraud, acquire, possess, sell, or offer for sale any genuine or counterfeit serial or identification number issued by the department, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, or the vehicle registration and titling agency of any foreign jurisdiction which is from or for, or purports to be from or for, a vehicle or component part thereof. (c)Every person convicted of a violation of subdivision (a) or (b) shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code, or in the county jail for not less than 90 days nor more than one year, and by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000).

Last verified: February 26, 2026

Related Statutes

  • § 10750 Vehicle Identification Protection
  • § 10751 Altered Vehicle Identification Numbers
  • § 10753 Catalytic Converter Marking Tampering
  • § 11500 Automobile Dismantler Licensing Requirements
  • § 11501 Automobile Dismantler Licensing Requirements

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 10752.
View Official Source