The book reveals changeover techniques and schemes to alert dealers, repair shops, and consumers. It also clarifies commonly held misconceptions about auto theft. The author explains the significance of the vehicle identification number (VIN) and differences in State regulations regarding ownership documents and salvage laws. He points out loopholes that permit abuse of these regulations. Tips for recognizing mistakes made by changover artists include poorly altered serial numbers, replaced license plates, forgotten service and inspection stickers, evidence of repainting, and registration papers that do not match the vehicle. Hot cars are sold to careless dealerships and through advertisements and public auctions. Changeovers often involve using legitimate papers from totally wrecked vehicles. In 'chop shops' stolen cars are destroyed for their parts. Another scheme is automobile duplicating, e.g., affixing duplicated registration papers and VIN plates to stolen cars. These methods are common in all States, regardless of requirements for title registration at resale or notarized bill-of-sale procedures. Few States have salvage laws for preventing unsafe and stolen vehicles other than automobiles from reaching the highway. States with no restriction and enforcement on buying, selling, rebuilding, and reselling wrecked vehicles are havens for conversion thieves. The author describes conversion techniques for automobiles, tractors and trailers, motorcycles, campers, boats, and airplanes. He suggests preventive measures for auto dealers, insurance agents, and title/registration clerks in State offices. Photographs accompany the text.