The numbers are just engraved into the gelcoat, so it would be easy to fill them in and re-engrave. Unless you have a title or mfg. certificate of origin, there's no way of knowing for sure (and even then it wouldn't be 100%).
My understanding is that the last few digits don't get engraved by the factory until the boat is finalized for shipping, so that could be why the last few digits look different on your boat.
The best way to "get a sense" of whether the HIN is correct would be by looking at the hull graphics, sail pattern, design features.
For example, if the boat has old Seaway blocks, a solid aluminum mast, orange and brown sails, plain hull striping (all characteristics of a 1970's/early 80's boat) and the HIN indicates a 2000's year of manufacture, then obviously the HIN has been tampered with.
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