Why do people hide/fog their plates?, in pictures, etc. Options

[erics1one]

Curious...


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This post has been edited by erics1one: Mar 3, 2005 - 2:10 PM

[shid]

So that mean people can't collect our plates and say we did things we didn't do?

[BlackCelicaGT94]

people are paranoid there sh!t will get jacked or F'd up!

i could care less - u wanna take my stuff that badly then go for it!

I got full insurance on all my aftermarket parts so i say GO AHEAD! :-)

[erics1one]

Well the police don't go searching for a car if someone calls in "A guy with the plate FLOATN just ran a red light." Like they're going to send you a ticket or something. But if your talking about something more serious, like "My nieghbor was shot, and I saw a celica with FLOATN leave the scene quickly"...then of course I'd get questioned, but how is it any different whether someone sees your plate online, or on the road?

And unless they worked at the DMV, how would they know where you live to come jack things?

I thought there would have been something obvious that I missed, but if everyone is just paranoid, thats kinda funny.

This post has been edited by erics1one: Mar 3, 2005 - 2:22 PM

[shid]

if you want to have your plate online, go ahead. However, many of us have learned its not a smart idea. Your plate is part of your identity, and identity theft is a big issue nowadays.

Here's a few more reasons:

Warrenty/insurance: People take their plates off at tracks because insurance agents traditionally pay close attention to wrecked cars at track accidents- because they don't have to pay it. The same thing goes with warrenty, however sometimes warrenty agents employ webcrawlers to find people with plates they cover warrenty saying things like: "I'm gonna take the turbo kit I put on off so I can still get covered by the warrenty, even tho I've been boosting 15 psi" and then they can deny coverage.

You know what? I'm too tired to tell you all the reasons why it's stupid and foolhardy to have your plate online. You want it on? keep it on.

[BlackCelicaGT94]

Sounds like paranoia to me! I fear the people in my town who see my car more so than anyone on here.

[erics1one]

Well a company would have to dig pretty hard to find pictures of plates since its not a searchable attribute...but I guess thats something reasonable. Definitely not something I'd be concerned of, but whatever.

And as for identity theft...again...unless they work at the DMV and perform illegal procedures, I don't see how that would be helpful. You can get more vulnerable information about me from googling my screenname.

[erics1one]

Sounds like paranoia to me! I fear the people in my town who see my car more so than anyone on here.
[right][snapback]252774[/snapback][/right]

agree

[shid]

or how about this, I don't like you. I know you were in the LA area a couple days ago, and I know your plate and I know you have damage to the front area of your car. Someone rear ends me, and takes off. I say I got the plate. and its yours. Prove it wasn't you.

[erics1one]

and whats to prevent the people in your neighborhood (who see your plate everyday) from doing that?

Shid I can see how some people would be worried about those things, I'm not saying you're in the wrong, but they are just too big of 'what-if's for it to be a common concern.

...I just thought there might have been a more obvious reason I was missing.

This post has been edited by erics1one: Mar 3, 2005 - 2:44 PM

[BlackCelicaGT94]

Well a company would have to dig pretty hard to find pictures of plates since its not a searchable attribute...but I guess thats something reasonable.  Definitely not something I'd be concerned of, but whatever.

And as for identity theft...again...unless they work at the DMV and perform illegal procedures, I don't see how that would be helpful.  You can get more vulnerable information about me from googling my screenname.
[right][snapback]252775[/snapback][/right]

Id be more worried about the person at the bank who is looking up my funds when im not around and jacking some cash out!


I agree - just too many WHAT IFs! ive never heard anyones car being reported or having soemthing jacked cuz of hte net. Its usually within the people u know personally. If someone really wants to F with u they will find a way to do it. License plate on the net or no license plate.

[Coomer]

since its not a searchable attribute
[right][snapback]252775[/snapback][/right]

You'd be amazed what kind of technology they have in place today, especially some of the algorithms related to images. I don't doubt for a second that there's software that can parse through car images and pick out license plate numbers.

Did any of you guys ever read about how Dodge actively searched online SRT-4 forums to find accounts of people racing and voids their warranty. Without a license plate in a photo, it's a lot harder for them to prove that it was you and it's your car.

[erics1one]

since its not a searchable attribute
[right][snapback]252775[/snapback][/right]

Did any of you guys ever read about how Dodge actively searched online SRT-4 forums to find accounts of people racing and voids their warranty. Without a license plate in a photo, it's a lot harder for them to prove that it was you and it's your car.
[right][snapback]252796[/snapback][/right]

Nope, have never heard of it. That would be an interesting read though...do you remember where that was posted?

[Coomer]

Nope, have never heard of it.  That would be an interesting read though...do you remember where that was posted?
[right][snapback]252802[/snapback][/right]

I think I read it at SRTForums.com.

[shid]

Mazda also does this

[erics1one]

Dodge and Mazda...major corporations. But what about the smaller dealers, and small warranty companies that our old 6GC are normally processed through?

They have a lot less time, money, and accessibility to run tests like that.

[Coomer]

Dodge and Mazda...major corporations.  But what about the smaller dealers, and small warranty companies that our old 6GC are normally processed through?

They have a lot less time, money, and accessibility to run tests like that.
[right][snapback]252814[/snapback][/right]

Yeah, but your insurance company probably is a major corporation that may have the resources to do that.

[erics1one]

True...

Natalie insured all her stuff though so that'd be covered, but obviously not in the racing scene. You're SOL anyway you cover that.

Don't go to the track much though, wonder how many 6gc owners show off their zippy 14s and occasional 13.

[saleeka]

i see the point to both sides here... I think if you have a nice system in your car and post in on here saying you do- its smart to not indentify your car so blatantly in case someone wants to jack your stuff... Even if it IS insured it still pisses you off when people dont respect your property... If your car is nothing special I see no big reason to worry about it? However it typically is better to be smart and protect yourself when its so easy to do so like this situation. Its easier to keep doors closed for those who do look for oppurtunities to steal/lie to their advantage rather than trying to stop it after the fact, dont you think?

[Defgeph]

thieves come to car forums... write down ur plate number, steal your car.

The End.