Blanked out Tag Numbers
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,248
Likes: 4
From: Lancaster PA
Blanked out Tag Numbers
Why keep serial numbers and license plate tags hidden. I see pictures of Corvettes with tags blurred out. What could be done with this information why are pictures blanked out. Whats the big secret of not revealing block numbers etc.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,248
Likes: 4
From: Lancaster PA
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Keizer OR
It seems to be common practice, but I never do nor do I care. I suppose if someone really hated you online they might be able to track you down from your license plate. Years ago there was a website that would give name/address for any license plate, but they were shut down and I believe stricter privacy laws were put in place to stop that kind of thing.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
horror stories do happen, the less information out there in the public, the better. there are smart bad guys out there spending a lot of time figuring out how to make a buck that can make your life miserable. I can think of several ( but low probability ) ways they can use such information.
of course, all they have to do is go to BG, Mecum, or BJ and write down all the plate and vin numbers they want.
of course, all they have to do is go to BG, Mecum, or BJ and write down all the plate and vin numbers they want.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
I have an extensive background in computers and the web, and there are without a doubt, many ways this information could be used, and none of them are good. I'm not going to get into specifics of how this could be done, but I will say that I am one of the people who block out my license plate and other numbers when posting photos on the internet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
Im not a fan of posting my most intimate details online. I don't do twitter, I barely do Facebook. I shred anything with my address. And why post vin's. License plate numbers are pretty public already. I've dealt with identity theft, it pisses me off.
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 136
From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
But seriously, no computer site/program is safe. I don't mind showing my tags. I won't bank online. I don't have a credit card, and I keep my cash in a jar beside the third tree on the left, next to the dogs lot.........or is it the second tree????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
I have an extensive background in computers and the web, and there are without a doubt, many ways this information could be used, and none of them are good. I'm not going to get into specifics of how this could be done, but I will say that I am one of the people who block out my license plate and other numbers when posting photos on the internet.
I once had someone park in my assigned parking spot in front of my home. I had no idea who they were, but after 2 nights in a row, I called a private investigator out of the phone book, and for $50 I had his name, address, and phone numbers.
I sent the guy a note in the mail, and asked him to stop parking in other people's spots, or he would be picking his car up from an impound lot.
For the people commenting about not worrying about showing their plates at car shows, so they aren't worried about showing them online - I like to go swimming when I go to the beach, but I'm not going to go swimming covered in fish guts, off of the great barrier reef.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
Yep. Two words: Scam. Artist. As stated previously, there are numerous nefarious ways a valid plate can be used against the rightful owner.
Simple solution: Photoshop(tm) or physically cover plates. You can't go wrong taking the few minutes to do so.
Simple solution: Photoshop(tm) or physically cover plates. You can't go wrong taking the few minutes to do so.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
I do understand the comments about your license plate being visible when you drive the car, and agree that someone could take down the plate and use it to their benefit. With that being said, a photo of your license plate, VIN, etc. on the web, is on the web FOREVER once you post it - even if you delete the photo.
This opens up the chance of it being viewed not just by people who may be in traffic around you, but people from all over the world.
Just sayin...
Adam
This opens up the chance of it being viewed not just by people who may be in traffic around you, but people from all over the world.
Just sayin...
Adam
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Here's a picture of my license plates.
Here's a thread on the multi thousand dollar engine I just built.
Here's some pictures of my fresh concours paint job.
Here's my re-done interior.
Here's the $3000 trans install I just did.
Come get it.
None of this stuff is obvious when the car is driving down the road. Our forum history ties it all together in one spot. I can understand why you'd hide the info.
Here's a thread on the multi thousand dollar engine I just built.
Here's some pictures of my fresh concours paint job.
Here's my re-done interior.
Here's the $3000 trans install I just did.
Come get it.
None of this stuff is obvious when the car is driving down the road. Our forum history ties it all together in one spot. I can understand why you'd hide the info.