Auto theft: Verification and security actions for auto dealerships

Despite vehicle theft rates declining in recent years, vehicle crime remains a significant issue in the U.S. 659,880 vehicles were reported stolen in 2025, that's roughly one every 48 seconds.¹

Dealerships are frequent targets of criminals. Thieves posing as customers can steal a vehicle through fraudulent personal and financial information, or through direct theft of the vehicle or its keys. By taking a few extra steps during the sale or delivery process, you can circumvent their attempts, whether in-store, online, or during the delivery process.

Zurich offers these guidelines to help mitigate your risks:

Tips for in-store sales:

• Pull up Google Maps and view the address the prospective buyer provided in their paperwork.
• Conduct an internet search for the person's name, phone number, and email address provided.
• Call the number provided for an employer.
• Learn more about your buyer during the purchase process.
• How did the customer arrive at the dealership? Capture license plates entering and exiting the lot.
• Verify driver license through license validation service.
• Have surveillance cameras that take good photos of customers on the premises.

Additional transaction safeguards:

• Delay vehicle release until funding confirmation is received.
• Verify wire transfers directly with the financial institution.
• Escalate transactions involving address changes, rushed delivery requests or unusual payment methods.
• Establish procedures for staff to escalate suspicious transactions to management.

Home or public delivery guidance:

• Request a second form of identification if a home delivery is requested.
• Use Google Maps to view the address provided by the customer to confirm it is a valid residence.
• When arriving, check to see if the residence is occupied and if there are other vehicles present at the home. Note the license plate tag numbers.
• How did the customer arrive? Did they come out of the house or were they waiting outside?
• Did they change the meeting location at the last minute? If so, insist on meeting at the residence listed on the paperwork.
• Did the buyer go into the house after the deal or immediately leave the residence?
• If a public delivery, select a location with a security camera.

General key control recommendations:

• Return keys after each key pull.
• Do not store keys in a lock box on or in the vehicle.
• If test drive was conducted, make sure the keys are in possession of the salesperson before exiting the vehicle.
• Prevent a key swap by double clicking the lock button every time the key fob is transferred back to the salesperson.
• Conduct regular key inventories and reconcile missing keys immediately.

What are some of the biggest red flags to look for?

• Do the customer’s answers make sense?
• Does the buyer get increasingly nervous as the transaction progresses?
• How did the buyer arrive at the dealership? Did they drive another vehicle? Get dropped off? Walk?
• Do they have a vehicle trade?
• Do they buy all VSCs, roadside assistance and protections – no questions asked?
• Does the information on their identification match the paperwork?
• Does the photo match the person?

Resources for in-store and delivery:

Identity verification:

• State DMV validation services
• Third-party ID verification vendors
• Credit verification systems
• Google Maps for address authentication

Fraud detection resources:

• Internal dealership procedures
• OEM or lender fraud alerts
• Law enforcement theft reporting resources

Local courts/arrests info:

Check publicly available court and criminal records to find any record of previous criminal activity.

1. Steward, McKynzie. “These are the Most-Stolen Cars of 2025.” Kelley Blue Book. 27 March 2026.

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