I've noticed most posters obscure their license plates before posting pictures. Is there a reason to do this that I'm missing? I haven't done it in the past on the premise that every time I drive my car anyone is welcome to photograph or copy my plate, so what am I missing? Are criminals lurking on the forum or what?

 

Just privacy mainly i think, especially if you have a personalized plate...

 

Just to limit exposure. People know other people who can run plates and find out where you live and such

 

THIS ^^ right here. When you are driving and your plate is exposed, it's moving. Everyone is moving so less attention is paid to it. But when you post a picture of a nice, expensive car with the plate showing....the picture just sits there. Giving someone with bad intentions plenty of time to look up your plate and registration....aka your name and where you live.

 

Because bad guys figure if you have a TT and a ferrari, you probably have a lot of expensive stuff in your home. William "Willie" Sutton was a prolific American bank robber. He robbed banks "because that's where the money is."

 

I try to obscure my plate while driving too.

 

How many bank robberies a year are there in the USA? How many breaking and enterings are there? Oh ok

 

Only an idiot (most crooks are idiots) would waste time chasing down a license plate. Generally there's a relationship between the neighborhood and the value of the cars you'd find in the garage....unless you're suggesting that people who don't drive fancy cars don't have valuable stuff in their homes.

That said, I do try to make sure that I keep my license plate in motion while on the highway. It's always a good result when my car and my license plate arrive at my destination at the very same time!

 

It's Not just about theft of property. The more information is gathered about you the better chance of someone stealing your identity as well. Sorry I forgot my insurance papers but " yes, I drive a 2009 porsche turbo license plate xxxxx. " I live at xxxxxx, North Pole.

Physical items can be replaced, personal identification can take years to clean up.