Blocking out license plates???

[akdiesel]

Is there a reason some people choose to block out their license plates when posting their picture on line?
Are there more concerns of people seeing it on line versus on the street?

 

[MNDucatiMan]

Some states have public databases. Limiting the amount of info you put in unsecured areas such as the internet lowers the odds of someone knowing where to steal your favorite ride.

 

[Kevin54]

Is there a reason some people choose to block out their license plates when posting their picture on line?
Are there more concerns of people seeing it on line versus on the street?

I never understood the concept either. Unless you are a cop, the average person can't run a plate anyways. And more people see that same plate on a daily basis, than an internet forum would see it in a month. I would like to see some type of statistics as to where a person was ripped off by plate number alone being shown on the 'net vs. the neighborhood kid watching the house.

 

[Stuey]

Why does it make a difference? If I posted a pic of my car, I'd likely blur out the license as well. Why? Why not!

Also, some people might blur out such info when posting others' cars. I mean, you wouldn't post you or your neighbor's personal phone numbers online, would you?

 

[skeletonizer]

Pure paranoia IMO.

 

[Kev442]

Because crooks track the plate and find the address to steal your ride.

 

[HOTFR8]

In Australia in some cases now we block out plates ( on the net and in Magazines ) so the authorities can not confirm or deny we have modified the vehicle from the time it was registered.

We have a registration label on the windscreen and I have even seen them removed as well as the plates when the vehicle is trailered to shows. You can not fail a vehicle in any way if it does not look like it is registered.

Mind you if they do not like they will then pick on the tow vehicle and the trailer.

 

[e-tek]

Pure paranoia IMO.

+1 fer sure!

No reason except "maybe" what HOTFR8 said - and that ""maybe only applies to Australia!

 

[ddawg16]

So....you block the plate when you drive it on the street as well?

Actually....if you really want to protect yourself....don't leave anything in your car with the address on it....especially your registration. A lot of car break-ins are just to get your info....either for identity theft or to break into your house later...

 

[Identaltech]

my password is my first plate number

 

[bgott]

You used to be able to walk into the DMV in California and pay a dollar for them to give you the info from a plate number. Some guy used the plate information to stalk and slash an actress named Teresa Saldania (sp?) so they changed the law. It became just about impossible to get the info after that, which really sucked because I was repo'ing cars at the time and that info really helped. I think you might still be able to do it in a lot of states, they would consider it public information.

 

[chrislehr]

I never do that ****. PITA, plus, if someone wants to come eff with me, bring it on. Guns, dogs, and teeth await you.

 

[bgott]

my password is my first plate number

I probably wouldn't post that, a year from now you'll post a picture of your first car, with plate number, and someone will remember this and use it to access a load of **** sites in your name!

 

[jay50]

I never do that ****. PITA, plus, if someone wants to come eff with me, bring it on. Guns, dogs, and teeth await you.

I just spit beer all over my laptop ......

 

[Sweet Old Bill]

Man, you just ruined my plan!!! j/k

 

[Identaltech]

missinformation is the best counterespionage.

 

[FunfDreisig]

Pure paranoia IMO.

It is only paranoia when everyone is NOT actually out to get you

Funf Dreisig

 

[gatewaysysop]

So....you block the plate when you drive it on the street as well?

No, but then again, there's a difference. People on the street who see my plate don't know what my house and garage look like from the inside and out, they don't know "What's in your garage?", they don't know the layout of my garage, what tools I have in what drawers, what kind of toolboxes I have, whether or not I have dogs, what kind of other cars I have, whether or not I live alone, what shift I work, what kind of job I have, whether or not I own guns, etc.

Not trying to be argumentative or anything, just saying that if someone wanted to exploit people on a forum like this, with nice cars and lots of expensive tools, it's kind of scary how much information they can get about you and your stuff.

Personally, I try to be careful about that sort of thing. For that reason I would absolutely obscure my plates in close up pictures. Peace of mind, takes 2 seconds to do and I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Actually....if you really want to protect yourself....don't leave anything in your car with the address on it....especially your registration. A lot of car break-ins are just to get your info....either for identity theft or to break into your house later...

Not sure that will fly if/when someone in uniform asks for my license and registration on the side of the road. I realize fully that they can verify this information with the plate and don't need to see the paper, but somehow I envision "I don't have it" as doubling my chances of getting a ticket vs. a warning. I don't speed, but for people who drive like that, it can't be a good thing to PO the officer by saying you left the registration at home. Just my $.02, as I thankfully don't know from experience.

 

[Kevin54]

Because crooks track the plate and find the address to steal your ride.

I seriously doubt the crook in Ohio is going to go all the way to California to steal a ride that he has seen the plate of on the internet. Now maybe the crook that has been following you down the road for mile and miles might. And I doubt he knows even what the license plate number is or would remember it anyways. Now if you are a top level spy for some other country or are one of Americas ten most wanted, and someone like DDawg sees your plates on the net...............

 

[larry4406]

for the same reason your screen name is not your real name with address and phone number.

 

[Terry Kennedy]

Pure paranoia IMO.

I take it you've never had the pleasure of being stalked by a mentally ill police officer?

I used to have all my contact info available, but the aformentioned stalking was creepy enough that I removed what I could, and asked for the rest to be removed as possible.

Any picture I've taken that I'm going to post will have the license plates obscured. For the official magazine photo shoots of my cars, I have a variety of plates from cr8apl8 to use - they just get stuck on over the real plates for the still shots, and edited in during post for the road shots.

 

[v8garage]

If you are being stalked by a mentally ill police officer how is covering up your license plates going to help?

 

[Stephenw]

Anyone ever get an ad in the mail from an auto repair business that referenced a specific vehicle that you own? How did they know that you own a 2003 Klunkomatic Roadrunner?

Most states have gotten away from releasing DMV information to anyone who walks in and asks. A large number still sell DMV databases to businesses. A shop owner (or an employee) with access to this database could find your address with just a plate number.

You post lots of pictures of your shop, tools, and vehicles on a forum. A crook with access to a DMV database notices you're local and gets your address so he can rob your shop.

 

[Jaguar Fan]

OK, here's a real world challenge.

See my avatar. "HIS JAG" plates. Wife's jag is "HER CAT". Her smart fortwo is "SM(heart symbol) 4TWO".

OK -- so -- anybody -- what do you now know about me? Be specific - figure out something real. Not hypothetically yada yada yada run plates yada yada yada steal car yada yada yada.

 

[Kev442]

Some of you obviously have never been robbed. Some slime taking your stuff would up your paranoia level in a hurry. Some of you also obviously do not have an ultra rare vehicle worth over 50k either. There are many crooks that would drive 500-1000 miles in a heartbeat to make 50k for 2 days work. It happens all the time. Some of you are living in a fantasy world if you think this never happens by tracking a car through the internet like cardomain.

 

[fireman]

Some of you obviously have never been robbed. Some slime taking your stuff would up your paranoia level in a hurry. Some of you also obviously do not have an ultra rare vehicle worth over 50k either. There are many crooks that would drive 500-1000 miles in a heartbeat to make 50k for 2 days work. It happens all the time. Some of you are living in a fantasy world if you think this never happens by tracking a car through the internet like cardomain.

You're correct. I've never been robbed. I do however have 2 cars that are worth well over $100K each. Both their license plates have been posted on several collector car forums.
This subject has been beaten to death on many forums. If someone wants to steal your car, they'll follow you home to find out where you live. The general public can not run a plate to get your info. I know several police officers and they all say they have to have a valid reason and document why they run a plate.

Bottom line - unwarranted paranoia

I don't see anyone posting Jaguar Fan's home address, phone number and shoe size yet. Come on guys, where's the info. if it's so easy to get?

 

[gatewaysysop]

You're correct. I've never been robbed. I do however have 2 cars that are worth well over $100K each. Both their license plates have been posted on several collector car forums.
This subject has been beaten to death on many forums. If someone wants to steal your car, they'll follow you home to find out where you live. The general public can not run a plate to get your info. I know several police officers and they all say they have to have a valid reason and document why they run a plate.

Bottom line - unwarranted paranoia

I don't see anyone posting Jaguar Fan's home address, phone number and shoe size yet. Come on guys, where's the info. if it's so easy to get?

Cops are not the only people that have access to data which pairs your license plate with your home address. The few I know have offered to run my plate numerous times for shits and giggles, so it must not be the cardinal sin you make it out to be.

Think about it, what's a valid reason for a cop to run a plate? How difficult would that be to make up? And besides, when your house gets robbed, do you ask the police to see if anyone ran your plate lately, thinking you can catch the crooked cop? I doubt it ever happens.

Case in point, I called to report a suspicious vehicle in my neighborhood recently. Gave the guy in dispatch the plate #. He looked it up readily to see if he could find it. Apparently not a big deal needing special reason.

It never ceases to amaze me when people go out of their way to defend behavior that has been pointed out to be dangerous. If anybody really had access to this information, what kind of an idiot would out themselves posting to the forum? They'd get banned for throwing the guy's personal info out there, even if they were just a well intentioned member trying to make a point about how easy it was to obtain.

It isn't posted here and it's not going to be. Taking that as proof that it is unattainable is incredibly naive.

 

[fireman]

gateway, you are obviously one of the paranoid ones. Your post proves that.

 

[Mezzanine]

I see no reason to discourage the obfuscation of license plates... If it makes you feel better, then go ahead and cover them up. I have done it both ways. One thing I DONT like to do is post pics of all my stuff and photos of my shop all the time. Some day I might post some photos of the shop, but it just makes me feel weird. Like putting out an ad to have your place broken into.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

OK, here's a real world challenge.

See my avatar. "HIS JAG" plates. Wife's jag is "HER CAT". Her smart fortwo is "SM(heart symbol) 4TWO".

OK -- so -- anybody -- what do you now know about me? Be specific - figure out something real. Not hypothetically yada yada yada run plates yada yada yada steal car yada yada yada.

Your name is Philip and your car is registered in California with an 08 revalidation decal...

Judging strictly from your avatar...

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Case in point, I called to report a suspicious vehicle in my neighborhood recently. Gave the guy in dispatch the plate #. He looked it up readily to see if he could find it. Apparently not a big deal needing special reason.

By making a complaint of suspicious activity, you just gave him a "special reason"...

 

[Kev442]

http://www.docusearch.com/run-license-plate-record.html


Still feel secure?
I'm not wasting $39, but any criminals feel free to step up.

 

[307WYLD]

http://www.docusearch.com/run-license-plate-record.html


Still feel secure?
I'm not wasting $39, but any criminals feel free to step up.

If you pay the $39 you are not committing a crime. It is only if you use the legally obtained info to actually plan the commission of a crime and act upon that plan that makes one a criminal.

 

[russlaferrera]

I never do that ****. PITA, plus, if someone wants to come eff with me, bring it on. Guns, dogs, and teeth await you.

Is that where the saying "Bite The Bullet" came from? LOL

 

[gatewaysysop]

gateway, you are obviously one of the paranoid ones. Your post proves that.

Ad hominem in lieu of an actual counter argument? You sure have me beat there. What was I thinking?

Seriously though, my post proves nothing, nor does yours. I'm expressing an opinion, based on experience, same as you. That's something to which everyone is entitled. You can agree with it or not, also each person's right.

As another poster said, if it makes you feel safe, what's the big deal? Why discourage people from doing something that has absolutely zero negative consequences and even the slightest potential to increase their safety?

Sorry that you disagree with me, but that doesn't make me or anyone else paranoid. I am happy to agree to disagree, but let's dispense with calling people paranoid just because they think differently from you.

 

[HOTFR8]

Another perspective for you and it has happened here.

Young guy goes out and performs a burnout on the street, Brags about it on his Ricer Forum. Then a mate posts a video.

Police know of the car and the owners driving attitude see the video see the number plate on the video and with in 24 hours the cars is impounded and the owner fronting court for careless driving just to name one charge.

License cancelled for 12 months.

 

[chrislehr]

Another perspective for you and it has happened here.

Young guy goes out and performs a burnout on the street, Brags about it on his Ricer Forum. Then a mate posts a video.

Police know of the car and the owners driving attitude see the video see the number plate on the video and with in 24 hours the cars is impounded and the owner fronting court for careless driving just to name one charge.

License cancelled for 12 months.

Well, bragging about disturbing the peace on the internet isnt exactly bright.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Another perspective for you and it has happened here.

Young guy goes out and performs a burnout on the street, Brags about it on his Ricer Forum. Then a mate posts a video.

Police know of the car and the owners driving attitude see the video see the number plate on the video and with in 24 hours the cars is impounded and the owner fronting court for careless driving just to name one charge.

License cancelled for 12 months.

Actually saw something similar to that on another forum. Guy ended up in a wee bit more trouble than that though.

 

[HOTFR8]

Well, bragging about disturbing the peace on the internet isnt exactly bright.

It was posted on one of those RICER forums so what do you expect
The Police had an article in the paper a few weeks later confirming what they did and the actions taken. I have a copy of the article some where and would post it if I could find it.

Editied note: Can not find it to post.

 

[fireman]

Sorry that you disagree with me, but that doesn't make me or anyone else paranoid. I am happy to agree to disagree, but let's dispense with calling people paranoid just because they think differently from you.

Not because you disagree with me, because you're afraid (paranoid) someone will steal from you simply because of a picture. Read the whole thread. Others were claiming "paranoia" long before you posted.

Like I said before, this topic has been beaten to death on other forums (some with several hundred posts on the subject) and the general conclusion is PARANOIA. If someone wants to steal your car, they'll follow you home. Why? Because they can see your garage and any security measures. Nobody is going to come across the country to steal my Corvette or Cobra (both of which have been featured in magazines) just because they see a picture of it. Even if they did, I doubt they can get by my security measures. Hey, maybe I am paranoid too because I have an alarm system and a very large caliber hand gun.