Blurred License Plates in Photos - Why?
 

OK, I understand identity theft is a real and serious crime, but I drive my car around everyday with the license plate in plain view of thousands of people. It sits in the parking lot at work, at the mall, at the movie theater, the grocery store, etc. where everyone can see my license plate number. So, why do people on this forum blur out their license plates when posting pictures of their rides?

The reason I ask, is my latest "mod" is a set of personalized plates. I placed the order about a week and a half ago. I couldn't believe my first choice was available. It really goes with the theme of the car. I don't have the polates yet, but when I do, I'd like to post some photos. But, if there is a legitimate risk to doing so, I will resist.

So, what's the real risk? Somebody making fake plates, putting them on a similar car and running up a ton of traffic fines? The widow of a deceased Nigerian dictator claiming legal ownership of my car? Seriously, what's the deal?

PDX

I never found a point to blurring out the plates either, for the exact reason you stated.

There must be some reason people do it. Is it myth, urban legend (you'll wake up in a bathtub full of ice missing a kidney if you post your license plate number online), or is there some real, or perceived risk?

PDX_xB

Well if you have a really high profile car with an expensive system, parts etc... People can get your address from the plates and find where the car is located to steal parts. It is just easier for interweb thefts to grab stuff and filp it.

theres a very good reason for that......if you put like 20grand in your car your not gonna have it all listed on your car itself some scionlife memebers have everything listed in there profile and billions of people all on the web at any giving time..anything is possible people are crazy if there jealous they wil do anything to steal it hire people to do the work or hunt down that car or what ever...i understand your point but the web is more dangerous then the stretts more people...im sure some people post fake plates on just for photos but i wouldnt take a chance

I agree.

When you get your personalized plates, show it off! I would. :icon_dj:

Your license plate information is always public knowledge, just like your cell phone, which is why people can identify practically everything about you by simply doing a Google search of your name. Of course, some things are restricted, but you can find resident information about every house. For instance, my mom's house address lists her name and all her children at the residence, including telephone numbers.

Similarly, one can associate that information with a license plate. Some things you have to pay for in order to get full public information about someone at the convenience of accessing it online; but you can drop by your local Town Hall and pick up someone's records simply because it is public information.

In order to maintain some sense of security, we commonly block out our license plates in order to feel more secure. But anything you put online is open to the public. I feel comfortable in blocking out my license plate just for the feeling of security.

people see your car in public... but you might post up their "shopping list" online..

and well.. a "shopping list" + your plate being shown online + knowing where your car is =... you can guess.

just a small security measure.

Half the time the people blurring out their plates forget one or two anyway.

I think that next time I post pictures of my xB online for you guys to see, I'm going to blur the car, the license plate, and the mod that I did. That'll leave it all up to the imagination.

I never blur out my plates.

It would be alot easier to pose as a seller or buyer and get the address that way. Seller - easy to find address for obvious reasons. Buyer - ask for an address to send a MO to. Sellers have no problem with accepting MOs the vast majority of the time.

I don't either since my ride is registered to an address that I don't live at :lalala:

I've got an alarm and guns, plus I love on Texas, I'll post my address and welcome the opportunity

Ok I understand the shopping list thing, but it still doesn't make sense because those same people plaster stickers all over their car, displaying to the world what parts they're using. And then on top of that, the people who generally tend to blur their plates have nothing done to their cars.

Well "steal me stickers" are self explanatory, they are asking for it. lol

Ya, me either. Mine is registered at 1060 West Addison....

(anyone?)

Gtfo with your lame movie references.

mine are never blurred. most people know i live in the land of corn and no one else has a tc that looks like mine (which is good because i get no hassle from cops) lol. and between car security and garage security i'm still fine :)

Lame movie it is NOT sir... Blues Brothers FTMFW!

I'm good.. mine is registered at a different location also.
Screw it.
If they wanna try to steal it let 'em try.