Catalytic Converter Pilot

In 2021, the Minnesota Legislature created the catalytic converter theft prevention pilot program (Minn. Stat. 325E.21 subd.2b) . The intent of the program is to deter the theft of catalytic converters by marking them with unique identification numbers that permanently mark the catalytic converter. 

View list of participants by city

The Commerce Fraud Bureau administers this program and chose the CATGUARD Label Solution as the primary method for marking catalytic converters. The labels are installed by sticking the label onto a - cool to the touch - catalytic converter. A fluid is then painted onto the label, which, once a vehicle is started, causes the unique number to be etched into the metal. Once registered, the unique number allows law enforcement to trace a converter back to a specific vehicle if a converter were to be stolen and later recovered.

The law requires the labels be installed at no cost to vehicle owners. Businesses cannot charge for the installation a program label, but they can require another service, e.g., oil change, be performed to install a label.

If you own one of the top 15 most targeted vehicles or if your catalytic converter has been (or attempted to have been) stolen, you can get a free catalytic converter marking label from a participating law enforcement agency, business, or community organization. * Please note police departments in the list provide but do not install labels.

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Top 15 vehicles targeted for catalytic converter theft