Hiding your Plates on Images posted on the Internet

[dallascajun]

OK, my wife and I have gone back and forth on this one, so I thought I'd put the question out to the group and get your thoughts on it. Her Thought Process: * Don't show your car with plates on the internet as it is a personal security issue as people can look up your personal info (address, etc) for either theft or other internet crimes. My Thought Process: * It doesn't matter is my plates show up on the internet because hundreds of people see my car/plates everyday on the road (and can/have take pictures if they so please) and therefore can initiate the same type of criminal activity just as easily. Am I missing something? How careful are you about posting pictures of your car(s) with the plates being visible (not blurred/hidden)? If you do hide them, what is your reasoning?

[HATTRICK]

Unless you work for the DMV, can hack into their database or you're a cop------you can't get any info from a license plate tag.

Can you ?

[dallascajun]

I'm not clever nor interested enough to know any better.

Basically, I could care less about posting images of my car with it's plates...but she was giving me hell for doing just that. To me, too much trouble to edit my pics with blurred plates just to post on sites like this one.

I guess I should also comment: I'm not looking for anyone to explain how someone would go about doing this (ignorance is bliss type of thing).

[henrysko]

Personally, I don't think it's that big of a deal.

But, you're the one that has to live with your better half.

[mxt_77]

Originally Posted by dallascajun

My Thought Process:
* It doesn't matter is my plates show up on the internet because hundreds of people see my car/plates everyday on the road (and can/have take pictures if they so please) and therefore can initiate the same type of criminal activity just as easily.

The primary difference occurs if you have modifications to your vehicle. Many valuable modifications are imperciptible to the common bystander. However, if you discuss them online, then a prospective thief would know that your car is a more lucrative target.

Additionally, the odds of a potential thief seeing a valuable car (target) during their daily excursions might be pretty small. The odds of that same thief seeing a valuable target in this message forum: 100%. So, how do you think a potential thief is going to shop for a target? Sitting on a corner or cruising a parking lot hoping to catch a glimpse of a nice car, or shopping from the comfort of their own home by browsing car forums?

Originally Posted by HATTRICK

Unless you work for the DMV, can hack into their database or you're a cop------you can't get any info from a license plate tag.

Can you ?

Pretty sure that for a nominal fee you can request the address where any car is registered from the license plate. Doesn't seem like it would be too wise to do that, though, if you were planning to steal it, since there would be a paper-trail linking you to the crime.


With all that said, I don't bother hiding my plates on the web. My car is insured, and sometimes you just have to hope for the best.

[dallascajun]

Originally Posted by mxt_77

However, if you discuss them online, then a prospective thief would know that your car is a more lucrative target.

The odds of that same thief seeing a valuable target in this message forum: 100%. So, how do you think a potential thief is going to shop for a target? Sitting on a corner or cruising a parking lot hoping to catch a glimpse of a nice car, or shopping from the comfort of their own home by browsing car forums?

Very good point. Criminals are much better suited to find potential targets by some up-front research in target-rich environments.

Originally Posted by henrysko

But, you're the one that has to live with your better half.

Yep...but having an educated perspective on a discussion helps. I do understand that hiding that type of information only makes you safer in the long run.


But if you take it one step further: hiding your plates doesn't just give some added protection for your vehicle, but also your household. Let's face it, most of the car makes/models on this site (and similar sites) are rather expensive, if not absolutely exclusive. So, if you drive such a car, there's also a good chance that your residence has some valuables that a criminal would target as well. And another step further: people with these cars and residences are probably also good targets for identification theft...

OK...I think I'm starting to see her point a little better. Like we have all heard or said before: Better Safe Than Sorry might be the theme of the issue.

[RS4-Brian]

In Texas you can pull all kinds of info on people with just a license plate number. But I'm in the camp of who cares...if someone wants info on you they'll get it. 100 people a day see my car and the plate so what's the difference between that and a photo posted here? As a matter of fact I would tend to "trust" people on this forum more than the average Joe driving behind me on the highway.

[krysFly]

PARANOIA

if anyone thinks there are thieves lurking on this forum, looking to steal your newest mod, should check in a mental institution.

[NorthVan]

It doesn't matter to me, I have never covered them. I can get new plates for $20.

[Katera]

Originally Posted by RS4-Brian

In Texas you can pull all kinds of info on people with just a license plate number. But I'm in the camp of who cares...if someone wants info on you they'll get it. 100 people a day see my car and the plate so what's the difference between that and a photo posted here? As a matter of fact I would tend to "trust" people on this forum more than the average Joe driving behind me on the highway.

I agree with this, but I scramble my plates anyway. It's easy and costs nothing. You never know when some mentally unstable freak is going to be pissed off by one of your posts and come looking to do damage. Sounds extreme, but we live in a sick world.

[dallascajun]

So what app(s) do you use to scramble/blur images with? I have a Mac but haven't found a free/simple app to do things like that.

Of course, I haven't looked that hard either.

[GTRR]

Originally Posted by dallascajun

So what app(s) do you use to scramble/blur images with? I have a Mac but haven't found a free/simple app to do things like that.

Of course, I haven't looked that hard either.

iPhoto on the Mac....enhance the image and you can use the "tool" to blur out....same photo tool used to smooth out wrinkles in pics!

[dallascajun]

Thanks. Might start using it to blur...

[NorthVan]

Originally Posted by Katera

I agree with this, but I scramble my plates anyway. It's easy and costs nothing. You never know when some mentally unstable freak is going to be pissed off by one of your posts and come looking to do damage. Sounds extreme, but we live in a sick world.

That's paranoia!

[krysFly]

Originally Posted by NorthVan

That's paranoia!

again, pa ra no iaaaa.