Press
APAK launch Mobile Text Messaging Service to help reduce automotive crime
VINfinder SMS is the new text messaging service from APAK which can help to reduce the risk of vehicle fraud. Our service will allow people to verify a vehicle’s true identity by ‘texting’ its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to APAK’s registered SMS telephone number, using a mobile telephone. The VIN number is then decoded and quickly returned to the customer who will be able to confirm the vehicle’s make, model, derivative, year of construction and where it was built. If the details returned do not match the vehicle which is being checked- there is a possibility that it could be fraudulent, in which case further examination of the vehicle’s documentation is needed to clarify its identity.
VINfinder SMS will be ideal for people on the move and who need to verify VIN numbers quickly and conveniently. The new service will be a useful aid to Law Enforcement Agencies who regularly check suspected vehicles by decoding the VIN. It will be equally valuable to finance houses, insurance companies, loss adjusters and other institutions who would like to minimize risk exposure to motor related crime. VINfinder SMS will also be available to the public and could benefit consumers who wish to check a vehicle’s identity before purchasing.
To use the service, the customer simply needs to prepare a text message which contains the keyword “VIN” and the 17 character VIN number. The message is then sent to the registered 5 digit short code number. For each VIN number which is decoded and sent back to the sender, users will be charged a trial price of £1.50, paid directly to their mobile phone network provider. To see VINfinder SMS working, send the following message: “VIN 1FMDU34X8NUD17194” to the short code number 87211. * The VIN will be decoded and quickly returned, displaying the vehicle’s details.
“VINfinder SMS will provide a new delivery channel for combating vehicle fraud. We believe it is a world first and unique automated service which can help to protect businesses and consumers against automotive related crime”, commented Mark Johnson, Marketing Manager, APAK Group plc.
APAK’s text messaging service will complement its existing online product VINfinder.com, which is used for decoding VIN numbers via the Internet. Customers who require large quantities of VINs decoded can send their files to APAK in ASCII format.
Notes to editors
For further information please contact: Mark Johnson- Tel: + 44 (0) 1454 871000,
Fax: + 44 (0) 1454 871199 Email: Mark.Johnson@ApakGroup.com APAK House,
Unit 1, Badminton Court, Station Road, Yate, Bristol BS37 5HZ www.vinfinder.com For terms and conditions about the VINfinder SMS service, please visit
our website: www.vinfinder.com/sms.html Email: vin.feedback@APAKGroup.com
Please note, VINfinder SMS is not currently available to Virgin mobile
users. * The service costs £1.50 for each VIN decoded.
SMS, commonly referred to as "texting", is the short message service
provided on nearly all digital mobile phones.
APAK Group
Founded in 1979, APAK Group plc is
established as a leading provider of core financial systems to major financial
institutions world-wide. The key to APAK’s success has been its commitment
to providing the best technological and business solutions.