License Plate Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 638
From: Port St Lucie Florida
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
License Plate Question
Always wondered about this...why do some folks, when posting pictures of their cars, cover the license plate? I don't see where it makes a difference whether someone sees the plate here or on the street or at a show.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,332
Likes: 63
From: PARADISE
St. Jude Donor '09-'11-'12-'13-'14
Crooks comb the net looking for things to steal. A license plate on the internet lets them figure out where there are cool things to be stolen.
Pretty simple really.
Pretty simple really.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 638
From: Port St Lucie Florida
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
But that's my point - you don't need the internet to capture plate numbers - all you would have to do is go to a show and discreetly jot down plate numbers there.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
It doesn't seem simple to me. A plate in a picture on the internet somehow is easier to relate to the exact location of where that car is compared to seeing that car drive down the street?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 840
Likes: 4
From: Syracuse IN
I belong to Early Jeep and Early Bronco sites, as well as many many boat forum boards. The Early jeeps and Bronco's values are on par with the C3 Vettes. The boats are always 3 to 5 times + as expensive. No one covers their plates like Vette owners. Do you think the same owners cover the plates on the Caddilacs and Suburbans parked in the same driveways? What happens when Googgle Earth is driving by and is photographing. My vote is to large of ego's Al
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
it allows the bad guys that have that power to have an advantage over you.. know where you live.. sell the database to a marketing firm or to other bad guys.. same reason I keep my garage door closed, instead of open . for those bad guys that drive by..
you would probably be amazed by how many people have access to the state/national license plate/vin database.
of course all the bad guys have to do is walk around car shows and jot down vin/plate numbers.. but every little bit helps.
you would probably be amazed by how many people have access to the state/national license plate/vin database.
of course all the bad guys have to do is walk around car shows and jot down vin/plate numbers.. but every little bit helps.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
I doubt if anyone's car has been stolen by someone seeing their license plate in a picture on the internet. Car thieves will see a car locally and then take it. NO car is safe if the pros want it bad enough. Well, maybe if your car is in your living room all the time it might be a bit difficult. 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 109
From: B'ham Alabama
This reminds me of all the people who are scared to do bank wire tranfers.
A guys once told me, "You better not do a wire transfer. The sender needs your bank name, your address, your checking account number and your routing number. With all that, they can ruin you".
I laughed and pointed out that everyone you ever write a check to,..or have ever written a check to has all that same info. It's written right on the front of your check.
He responded saying,..."I never though about that".
With that said,..I have bought, sold and traded classic cars for many years. I have listed several on eBay and Craigslist. I've never covered up my license plate. In fact,..I ususally take a close up picture to show prospective buyers that it is currently registered and regularly driven. I also advertise that I will accept all methods of payments,...including bank wire transfers.
I have NEVER had any problems,...but I have sold a LOT of cars!!!
A guys once told me, "You better not do a wire transfer. The sender needs your bank name, your address, your checking account number and your routing number. With all that, they can ruin you".
I laughed and pointed out that everyone you ever write a check to,..or have ever written a check to has all that same info. It's written right on the front of your check.
He responded saying,..."I never though about that".
With that said,..I have bought, sold and traded classic cars for many years. I have listed several on eBay and Craigslist. I've never covered up my license plate. In fact,..I ususally take a close up picture to show prospective buyers that it is currently registered and regularly driven. I also advertise that I will accept all methods of payments,...including bank wire transfers.
I have NEVER had any problems,...but I have sold a LOT of cars!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 924
Likes: 15
From: DFW Metroplex Texas
Years and years ago I got into a confrontation with another driver. He whipped out a pad of paper and pen and jotted down my Liscense plate number. "Now I know where you live!" he proudly proclaimed. I told him to come around when he grew a pair....
I'm still waiting.....
I'm still waiting.....