Far too often, we report on innocent car buyers who accidentally end up with stolen vehicles. Authorities then force them to surrender the cars. It’s happening everywhere from Georgia to Michigan.

Thieves increasingly use a tactic called VIN swapping. They partially disassemble stolen vehicles and replace vehicle identification numbers on the frame, inside the door, and beneath the windshield glass. Once the stolen vehicle carries VINs from a clean car still driving in another state, it can pass a CARFAX report. Fortunately, there are several telltale signs a vhicle was involved in a car theft and then VIN-swapped.

1. Use an OBD-II reader

The first method to double-check a VIN is high-tech. Automakers store the original VIN in the vehicle’s engine control unit. Buy or borrow an OBD-II scanner and plug it into the port beneath the dashboard of any 1996-or-newer vehicle.

Turn on the ignition and access the “Vehicle Info” menu. The VIN displayed there should match the numbers on the driver’s-side door sticker, the frame, and the plate beneath the windshield.

2. Check for a peeling door sticker

This method is far lower tech but just as useful. If thieves swapped a VIN, they likely replaced the driver’s-side door sticker. Factory stickers are durable and difficult to remove cleanly.

If you see signs that a sticker was scraped off, or if the current sticker peels at the corners, you should be suspicious.

3. Run a VIN lookup

Finally, enter the vehicle’s VIN into an online lookup tool. The results should show the correct model year and factory specifications. If anything seems off, from the paint color to powertrain options, treat it as a red flag.

At the end of the day, any vehicle bargain that seems too good to be true probably is. Buyers should stick with reputable dealers or pay for a professional inspection during private-party sales.