Deck 16: Vehicle Thefts and Related Offenses

Question 1

Which of the following statements about the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB)is/are correct?

A) The National Automobile Theft Bureau was formed in 1912 and is the forerunner of NCIB.
B) The NCIB is not a government organization.
C) The NCIB assists in the identification of vehicles and helps educate law enforcement officers in investigative techniques of vehicle identification, fraud, and theft.
D) All of the preceding are correct.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The National Insurance Crime Bureau is

A) an agency in the U.S. Justice Department.
B) a branch of the FBI.
C) a non-law enforcement agency created by insurance companies.
D) a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The vehicle parts which have the greatest value in a chop shop operation are

A) those with identifiable numbers.
B) those with no identifiable numbers.
C) the costliest parts.
D) the unpainted parts.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

A vehicle exists,actually belongs to the insured,and is actually stolen.How does fraud occur in this type of situation?

A) The fraud occurs when the insured makes a false claim concerning the physical or mechanical condition of the vehicle when it was stolen.
B) The fraud occurred when the owner initially purchased the vehicle and insured it for more than it was worth.
C) The vehicle that exists is not the vehicle that is on the insurance policy.
D) None of the preceding.

Question 5

A chop shop is a place where vehicles are

A) cut into pieces for easy delivery to recyclers.
B) disassembled for resale of their parts.
C) disposed of for insurance purposes.
D) recycled.

Question 6

In order for a successful salvage switch operation to work,the thief must be able to acquire a salvaged vehicle that

A) has all identifying numbers removed.
B) is no more than three model years old.
C) has all major component parts even if some of those parts are severely damaged.
D) is accompanied by the VIN plate and title.

Question 7

Motor vehicle thefts generally fall into one of four categories.Which category is most often engaged in by juveniles,those 15 - 19,who steal a car simply to drive it around before abandoning it?

A) Temporary theft.
B) Joyriding.
C) Professional theft.
D) Fraud.

Question 8

According to the textbook,what is the primary reason an owner would file a phony-theft loss claim?

A) Avoid liability for some conduct that resulted from the use of the vehicle.
B) Reduce their financial loss.
C) Both A and B.
D) Neither A or B

Question 9

The system implemented in 1981 to provide positive,individualized vehicle identification was

A) the Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act.
B) the 17 character standardized VIN.
C) the confidential engine number.
D) the acid restoration system.

Question 10

Among the purposes of the Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1984 was

A) the provision of a system of permanent identification numbers for most unmarked major component parts.
B) the discouragement of theft.
C) easing the identification of recovered vehicles and parts.
D) all of the choices are correct.

Question 11

The process of title "washing" involves

A) replacing a title that is destroyed by water or by an act of God.
B) replacing a title that is literally washed with clothes.
C) removing a brand from a title.
D) removing a lien satisfaction from a title.

Question 12

Cargo crime involves all of the following except

A) smuggling.
B) counterfeiting.
C) product piracy.
D) product burglary.

Question 13

After 9-11,Customs was moved from the Treasury Department.Where is it located now?

A) Department of Homeland Security.
B) Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.
C) Department of Justice.
D) Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Question 14

All of the following identifiers are part of the 17 character standardized VIN except

A) engine type.
B) color.
C)body style.
D) country of manufacturer.

Question 15

Which of the following contributes to the causes and problems of investigating the theft of heavy equipment?

A) The absence of titling and registration requirements.
B) The lack of a uniform vehicle identification numbering system.
C) The lack of an effective inventory control system.
D) All of the choices are correct.

Question 16

A "paper" vehicle is

A) an insured vehicle that does not exist.
B) a cheaply manufactured vehicle.
C) an import vehicle.
D) an involved vehicle that leaves the scene of an accident without being identified.

Question 17

Investigators spend a great deal of time on vehicle identification because

A) identification is necessary to establish that a theft has occurred.
B) without positive identification, a manufacturer cannot file a complaint.
C) it is a difficult task.
D) law enforcement generally does not know how to properly identify vehicles.

Question 18

"Heavy equipment" is a descriptive term for

A) lawn and garden equipment.
B) construction and farm equipment.
C) all equipment manufactured by John Deere, Caterpillar, Ford, and Navistar.
D) mechanical equipment weighing over 25,000 pounds.

Question 19

What is a "gray-market vehicle?"

A) A vehicle not manufactured for sale or operation in the United States.
B) A vehicle that was "scrapped" and is now back in the market place.
C) A gray market vehicle refers to the "paint scheme" of the vehicle.
D) A vehicle whose VIN plate and the VIN numbers on parts are not in agreement.

Question 20

What does the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System provide to its users?

A) Whether the vehicle was stolen.
B) If a vehicle incapable of being transferred.
C) Provide a system whereby a potential purchaser of a used vehicle will be able to inquire about the status of a vehicle before a final commitment to purchase.
D) All of the preceding.

Question 21

When referring to aircraft identification,what is the significance of the "N" number?

A) The "N" number is found on each side of the aircraft or on the vertical tail.
B) The "N" number designates a plane as being registered in the United States.
C) Most registered aircraft receive their "N" number when they are manufactured.
D) All of the preceding are significant in regard to the "N" number.

Question 22

Heavy construction equipment is commonly referred to as off-road equipment.

Question 23

Since 1954 American automobile manufacturers have used a ________ instead of an engine number as the primary means of identification.

Question 24

A short circuit in the ________is the most common excuse offered for automobile fires.

Question 25

The big four heavy equipment manufacturers,Case,Caterpillar,Deere,and Ford,began using a standardized 17-character vehicle identification number,the same as automobile manufacturers.

Question 26

________,available from the National Crime Insurance Bureau is currently being used by over 10,000 insurers and law enforcement agencies.The program edits,evaluates,and corrects vehicle identification numbers.

Question 27

Generally,a salvage vehicle is one that has been damaged or wrecked to such an extent that the cost of repairing is beyond its fair market value.Through a salvage switch,the thief is able to disguise and dispose of stolen vehicles in the legitimate market.

Question 28

Theft deterrent devices are of two types - passive or active.Which of the following is an example of an active device?

A) Audible alarm.
B) A boot.
C) Ignition lock collars.
D) All of the preceding can be active devices.

Question 29

The theft of avionics is lucrative because of

A) the lack of security at airports.
B) the lack of concern by sales outlets about the source of used equipment.
C) the ease of removing identifying numbers.
D) all of the choices are correct.

Question 30

All cars distributed in the United States since 1970 must have a ________.This sticker,in addition to the required certification statements,also contains the vehicle's VIN.

Question 31

The Stolen Auto Recovery (STAR)System can scan storage containers in less than 6 seconds while they continue to move,can identify cargo and compare it to the bill of lading without impeding the flow of commerce.

Question 32

The Federal Boating Safety Act of 1971 required

A) all boats to be registered.
B) boats to have a 12-character hull identification number.
C) boats to have a 17-character hull identification number.
D) a minimum prison sentence for anyone convicted of driving a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Question 33

When an insurance fraud is committed by the owner alone,the fraud is often referred to as an "owner give-up."

Question 34

Motor vehicle theft is one of the most significant issues facing law enforcement today.

Question 35

The scope of the theft of heavy construction equipment has led manufacturers,dealers,law enforcement,and insurers to support the development of a national database of stolen equipment.

Question 36

Theft deterrent devices are of two types - passive and active.________ system requires that the operator do something every time the vehicle is driven or parked.

Question 37

Vehicles most likely to be the object of odometer fraud are

A) older model, high mileage vehicles.
B) newer model, high mileage vehicles.
C) older model, low mileage vehicles.
D) newer model, low mileage vehicles.

Question 38

The major category of vehicle fraud as described in the textbook usually involves the theft of vehicles by professionals or strangers.

Question 39

The National Insurance Crime Bureau is organized into nine geographic areas,with its headquarters in the Chicago suburb of Palos Hills,Illinois.

Question 40

The term temporary theft isn't used to imply that the crime is not serious but,rather to distinguish joyriding from something more ominous.

Question 41

An inexpensive instant-developing camera and film can be used to document a vehicle before an insurance policy is written.In 1977,________ became the first state to enact legislation mandating photographic inspection prior to issuance of a policy.

Question 42

What is odometer fraud and why is it a significant offense?

Question 43

One of the most costly consumer frauds of modern times is ________ fraud,also known as rollbacks and clocking.

Question 44

How does a salvage switch work?

Question 45

Describe a chop shop operation.

Question 46

The theft of aircraft electronic equipment,or ________,can be a highly lucrative enterprise for thieves.

Question 47

Discuss the nature and seriousness of marine theft.

Question 48

What is avionics and why is avionics theft prevalent?

Question 49

Ownership and financial disputes over ________ vessels can be resolved in the federal courts.

Question 50

What are some of the factors contributing to the theft of heavy,also called off-road equipment?

Question 51

Distinguish false vehicle schemes,false theft schemes,and inflated theft loss schemes.

Question 52

Why is vehicle identification the most difficult and time-consuming task faced by an investigator in an auto theft case?

Question 53

What was the purpose behind the passage of the Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1984?

Question 54

Effective November 1,1972,the Federal Boating Safety Act of 1971 required boats to have a 12 character ________.

Question 55

Describe some of the principal investigative steps in determining whether a vehicle fire is accidental or arson.