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Auto Theft Prevention/insurance denial

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Expert: - 10/16/2010


Question
I recently had my 2000 ford f150 harley davidson truck stolen.The insurance company did an investigation and ruled that the truck had a transponder in it and it had last been driven with a valid key.I do know i have the only key but the truck was STOLEN.They did just as you said had a forensic expert look at it and told me i was lying.My question is can they prove that the truck was not driven w/o a key by sending the key off and looking at the ignition.I did see the truck after the fact and did notice there was a belt tied to the steering wheel and door,someone said it was because the steering column was broke.I also saw wires hanging evertywhere.                     Please help me understandwhat they are saying and if there is any truth to it

Answer
Hello,


I have defeated the transponder on the same year, make and model as your truck. The process I developed was shared with my peers. The also defeated the system on a variety of Ford trucks and made videos.  
The consensus was that my process worked 100% of the time if applied.
The truck did not need a transponder key to be driven.



Call me 866-490-1673

By the way, steering wheel was tied for towing from rear.


Http://www.autotheftexpert.com

Additional comments regarding these so-called anti-theft systems and the fraud (in my opinion) surrounding this whole event.

I felt the need to expound further on the subject of insureds being denied on the payment of a theft claim because the vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft system.

As I started to lay out this problem, it is multi faceted and goes back to misinformation from the dealers, and manufacturers, coupled with misrepresentation by these all knowing locksmiths that hold themselves out as the ultimate authority in auto theft. Its all a big scam with the end result being the insurance company not having to pay out on the claim.
It gets worse in some instances. Sometimes a prosecutor is brought in to charge the insured with felonies. My argument here is the insurance company using the arm of the prosecution to deny insurance claims.

The biggest problem is that one of these cases can be riddled with fraud and yet the insured had nothing to do with the theft.
Where is the fraud? Lets start with the manufacturer. Just as an example I will use Ford even though they are all guilty of this. The transponder system is known as Securilock A/K/A PATS (Passive Anti-Theft System). This system DOES NOT stop theft as the name implies.
The next issue is the forensic locksmith expert. As stated before 100% of his work is through insurance companies. Are you going to bite the hand that feeds you? Of course not. These guys almost always destroy or do not safe keep components that are crucial to their conclusions. How the courts are letting these guys testify on components they don't have is beyond me. These guys have no clue as to how this system works (From my extensive court experience opposing them). They regurgitate the description and designed operation from the owners manual. They have no background in mechanics or electronics. If they do remove the lock like they did here, their testimony is totally encompassed around the ignition lock. Excuse me, why are they not interrogating the vehicle’s computer if this electronic anti-theft system is so important. In other words, their testimony is strictly based on the condition of the ignition lock cylinder and the most important components (PATS) they are not testing! We could write this off as ignorance, but the true fact is that they are actually being fraudulent testifying about something they know nothing about.
I have sworn testimony from one of these expert's that embellished his resume so the court would believe he was a locksmith. He not only never made a key, but he never saw one made. He was qualified by the court to testify on the lock. During cross examination he admitted he was not a locksmith. He admitted he was not a mechanic. The next day he was asked if he could testify on the lock. He said no. Case dismissed! In the meantime, the insured paid out thousands of dollars to defend this case. By the way-the forensic locksmith expert’s direct past experience-a dog trainer in the military!!!!! If that is not fraud, I don't know what is.

The insurance company gets the report from the expert and starts manufacturing “facts.” Some of these facts may come from a contradictory fraud indicator list. If the car is surgically stripped-fraud. If no components are missing fraud, just as one example from many.
These experts get annoyed because I successfully oppose them and assist them in making themselves look like idiots. They hate me for this. Oh well!

Bottom line-Insurance fraud is a problem and there are always those that turn in false claims, but what about insurer fraud here? That is why in many states they are sued for bad faith from the insured. Goggle Hampton v. State Farm which after appeal came close to $9 million for the insured. No physical injuries. Just falsely accused, acquitted and she sued. This went terribly bad for State Farm and NICB.
Worse yet, you would think State Farm would not be using that expert from Liberty, MO, but believe it or not-they still are and the man has no background in forensics, locksmithing or anything else. Why do I think State Farm still uses him for their expert. He is cheap and says what they need him to say.

On this Ford truck, there are so many issues that can be used to defend this case and the forensic locksmith expert will not have a leg to stand on with my involvement!  

Auto Theft Prevention

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Rob Painter, ASE, CFL, CFEI

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My background in auto theft is extensive. I have been directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft recovered vehicles. I also do insurance investigation as to how a vehicle was last operated. My clients are insurance companies and attorneys. Was featured in the A & E auto theft documentary "Stealing Wheels" July 26, 2000. Has consulted with Daimler Chrysler steering column engineers to make their steering columns harder to defeat. Holds patent # 6,039,140 for 8 different variations to protect air bags from theft.

Experience

ROB PAINTER, ASE, CFL, CFEI Forensic Vehicle Component Analyst Diplomate, Board Certified Forensic Examiner ASE Certified Auto, Collision, Med/Hvy/Duty Truck Technician Certified Forensic Locksmith Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator Certified Forensic Auto Theft Examiner Certified Auto Theft and Fraud Expert http://www.autotheftexpert.com Email-rpainter@wi.rr.com P.O. Box 190 Big Bend, WI 53103 Phone (414) 698-9696 Fax (262) 662-1352 As per federal court rules of evidence (702) (Daubert) my testimony has qualified me as: Auto Theft and Fraud Expert Forensic Vehicle Analyst Fire Origin and Cause Expert In the trial transcript of Holiday vs Progressive Insurance Company (March 12, 2002?Eugene, Oregon) with Holiday being my client-named ?the expert for experts.? BUSINESS EXPERIENCE Founder of the ?Forensic Institute of Auto Theft Analysis? (January 2002). This is the training school that will set the standards in determining the last operation of a reported stolen vehicle-burned or unburned. Much of my testing and procedures have been accepted as the guide for the forensic community. 1986 opened Auto Recovery Specialists Inc., providing exclusive repair of theft recovered and vandalized vehicles. The initial concept of the business was to return vehicles to their original shape before the theft, vandalism or fire. In 1987 bought the rights to the theft deterrent known as the ?Chicago Collar?. Duties include complete component replacement: dash, stereo system, interior, locks and coding, rebuilding steering columns, repairing and installing vehicle security system components (factory and after market), engine components, body repair, glass replacement, repair and service of air conditioning components, brake and suspension repair, and replacement, wiring harnesses etc. to return vehicle to pre-theft condition Complete reconstruction. During the past 17 years directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft-recovered and fire damaged Personally examined and rebuilt thousands of steering columns on both import and domestic vehicles Internationally acknowledged as expert in auto theft including court, consulting with insurance companies, attorneys and law enforcement. Consultant on steering columns, locks, stereo systems and vehicle security for Special Investigation Units for many large insurance carriers during the past eight years. Consulting services include but not limited to: How a vehicle was last operated (with or without keys in burned or unburned vehicles), Origin and Cause of vehicle fires, and vehicle defects. Provides services as a consultant and researcher to attorneys and insurance companies, and private industry throughout the US in cases related to vehicles. Has worked with crime prevention officers throughout the US establishing training programs designed to protect the public from becoming victims of auto theft. PATENT: 3/21/00 issued patent# 6,039,140 for 8 different variations of airbag anti-theft devices. PUBLICATIONS Currently authors articles and test reports on an ongoing basis for SIUs and the forensic/vehicle fire industry. Published author: (1,297 slide training course) Auto Theft/ Fraud Training Course) ?The Modern Forensic Approach to Auto Theft Investigation.? (January, 2001) Author: ?Variables to Be Considered In Vehicle Fire Investigation after Suppression.? (Insurance publication-November 2001) Author: ?Ford Magnesium Steering Columns and the Results to Ignition Components after a Fire?. Article for peer review from the fire and forensic community. (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM VATS.? (Article) (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM PASSLOCK TM? (Article) (November 2001) Author:? Auto Theft Investigation: Hollywood vs. Reality? (Article) (February 2001) For the John Cooke Fraud Report. Published author: (Manual) ?Forensic Vehicle Fire/ Arson and Auto Theft Investigation? (October 2000) Published author: (Article) ?Petty Claims? for the John Cooke Fraud Report (October, 1998) Published author (Manual) ?AUTO THEFT: LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN!? (1998) (Previously distributed by Barnes & Nobel) Co-authored the investigation manual, ?Surreptitious Entry & Auto Theft & Burn & the Investigator.? (1999) Authored test questions on the subject of steering columns and vehicle security for CFL designation to be given by the International Association of Investigative Locksmiths. January, 2000 Published author: (Manual) ?Saginaw Steering Columns-What Has Not Been Told? Training manual for fire investigators. (March 2000) Published (Article) ?Beyond The Lock? (May 2000) Published Author: (Article) Fraud Defense Network-August, 2000 Edition-?Melting Steering Column Tests.? http://www.fraudreport.com/index.cfm?month=08&year=2000 Published author: (Test Report) ?Burned Toyota Steering Column Testing to Determine How Last Operated?. Tool marks and procedures. (December 1999) Currently at the FBI Crime Lab in Washington DC and the US Army Crime Lab in Atlanta, GA for peer review. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Defeated the ?unstealable? Ford Securilock transponder system for a court case 10/10/00. They said it could not be done! Primary designer of a state of the art ?bait? car for a police department to catch car thieves. Worked with The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration and discovered a potential fire hazard on a vehicle and determined origin and cause of under hood fires on this type of vehicle. Featured as ?Auto Theft Expert? in the A & E auto theft documentary ?Stealing Wheels? that aired July 26, 2000. Contacted by Sears and Edelman Marketing to be a national spokesman for an anti theft device for vehicles. (November 1999) Invited to provide evaluation and consulting to steering column engineers at Daimler Chrysler Corporation in Auburn Hills, MI (10/19/99-10/22/99). The purpose of this project was to demonstrate how steering column locking mechanisms could be defeated without the use of a key and how to reinforce the columns against theft. Court Qualified as an Auto Theft Expert and my videos of defeating columns were also accepted by a Cleveland, Ohio Court in October 1999 as a valid piece of evidence. Contacted by Disney Touchstone Pictures for technical assistance in making the movie ?Gone in 60 Seconds? (March 1999) CONSULTANT FOR FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS ? Former contributor for The Insurance News Network (Auto theft and prevention) includes heading a forum for the public on how to protect their vehicles for 3+ years. ? Former editor and consultant for the public on matters involving auto theft and prevention 2000-2001 on the web at http://www.autotheft_forum.com. ? The Insurance Career Center (Auto theft and fraud). ? National Association of Investigative Specialists (Auto theft and fraud) ? Expert Find (Auto theft and fraud} TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE ? ASE (National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence) Certified in Auto: brakes, steering and suspension, engine repair, manual drive train and axles, air conditioning. Med/Heavy duty truck: gasoline engine repair, electrical/electronic components. Collision: elec.....

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