What's the problem...?
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,006
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From: Southern California
What's the problem...?
With having your license plate UNBLURRED out in a photo you post on the internet? I mean I've seen some pics where the people don't bother blurring out their plates and others who are **** about it.
I do remembe ra topic of discussion that came up, can anybody help w/ an explaination? Does it really matter?
THANKS!
I do remembe ra topic of discussion that came up, can anybody help w/ an explaination? Does it really matter?
THANKS!
It's just a safety measure. People have had nice cars and customs ripped off or broken into because their location was determined using the license plate. I guess you have to have some connections to get that sort of info. from a plate number.
I also put black electrical tape over my vin number that you can see through the windshield...that way the only way they can get your vin is if you have the door open...too easy to call a dealership and have them cut a key for you
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 292
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From: Southwest Michigan
I've never understood the idea of blurring/blocking plates either. I mean, your plate is exposed any time it's on the road, or anywhere in public for that matter. Hell, if somebody wants to track down nice cars, they can just watch the local Auto Locator and Google the phone numbers. It doesn't get any easier than that!
Originally Posted by HotRodW
I've never understood the idea of blurring/blocking plates either. I mean, your plate is exposed any time it's on the road, or anywhere in public for that matter. Hell, if somebody wants to track down nice cars, they can just watch the local Auto Locator and Google the phone numbers. It doesn't get any easier than that!
I don't know about the license plate numbers and crime but better safe than sorry, only take less than a minute to take out the plate numbers.
My main concern about VIN numbers being exposed is that first, why would they even show it on the dash?! Some cars even have a little cut out because a tinted or blacken'd part of the window is covering the dash VIN.
Some states require the VIN to be showing, some don't. Don't know about federal if any, but i would think it would fall under state or local laws. Here is an interesting find about VIN numbers:
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My main concern about VIN numbers being exposed is that first, why would they even show it on the dash?! Some cars even have a little cut out because a tinted or blacken'd part of the window is covering the dash VIN.
Some states require the VIN to be showing, some don't. Don't know about federal if any, but i would think it would fall under state or local laws. Here is an interesting find about VIN numbers:
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Comments: While there has been at least one well-publicized case (in 2002) of an auto theft ring using a ploy similar to the above to steal vehicles from used car lots, it is a complicated and time-consuming modus operandi and not the most likely way a thief might try to steal your car.
Still, the method can work, as proven in an experiment conducted by WTAE-TV News in Pittsburgh:
After getting permission from the owners, we jotted down VIN numbers from four different vehicles. Then, we went to four diffrerent car dealerships with a hidden camera. We told the same kind of story that a thief might tell: we locked the key in the car and needed a new one.
First, we went to a dealership and tried to get a key made for a 2003 Blazer. It couldn't have been any easier.
Next, we walked into another dealership with a phony story. Half an hour later, we had a key that got us into -- and away with -- the car. The key cost $2 and we paid cash. No one asked for identification.
Three out of the four car dealers struck duplicate keys with no questions asked, the reporters found, even though most dealerships have a policy of demanding identification before doing so. A different investigation conducted by the Sacramento Bee in 2003 found that car dealers were not only aware of the scam but in some cases believed they had actually foiled attempts to illegally obtain keys by insisting on proper documentation from the perpetrators.
Covering the dashboard VIN # is an option for vehicle owners concerned that they may be victimized in this manner, but, since some states prohibit it, checking local laws is advisable first.
Still, the method can work, as proven in an experiment conducted by WTAE-TV News in Pittsburgh:
After getting permission from the owners, we jotted down VIN numbers from four different vehicles. Then, we went to four diffrerent car dealerships with a hidden camera. We told the same kind of story that a thief might tell: we locked the key in the car and needed a new one.
First, we went to a dealership and tried to get a key made for a 2003 Blazer. It couldn't have been any easier.
Next, we walked into another dealership with a phony story. Half an hour later, we had a key that got us into -- and away with -- the car. The key cost $2 and we paid cash. No one asked for identification.
Three out of the four car dealers struck duplicate keys with no questions asked, the reporters found, even though most dealerships have a policy of demanding identification before doing so. A different investigation conducted by the Sacramento Bee in 2003 found that car dealers were not only aware of the scam but in some cases believed they had actually foiled attempts to illegally obtain keys by insisting on proper documentation from the perpetrators.
Covering the dashboard VIN # is an option for vehicle owners concerned that they may be victimized in this manner, but, since some states prohibit it, checking local laws is advisable first.
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