Why? I don't get it.

[Superior Shine]

On this forum as well as others I noticed people block out or otherwise make unreadable their license plate. Why?

Thousands see your plate # as you drive down the street. People see it while your vehicle is parked in front of your house.

How is displying it on the internet bad?

Thanks in advance-

[DETLMAN]

I always wondered that as well. I usually block out the license plate if I post a pic of a customers car. But most of th etime not even then.

[jetta18T]

I don't understand the idea fully either but I've been told that some people like to block it out for safety reasons. For example, people may see the car on the internet, notice that it has a decent amount of nice stereo equipment and then coincidentally see it on the street the next day and want to steal the equipment. I doubt that this would really happen, but it's just what i've been told....

[Teak]

Originally posted by jetta18T
I don't understand the idea fully either but I've been told that some people like to block it out for safety reasons. For example, people may see the car on the internet, notice that it has a decent amount of nice stereo equipment and then coincidentally see it on the street the next day and want to steal the equipment. I doubt that this would really happen, but it's just what i've been told....

So people are thinking premeditated car larceny. If people are so afraid why post pictures on the internet to begin with? Another option is just take the plate off the car before taking pictures. Furthermore, maybe people have seen Gone in 60 seconds one to many times. I do not think the insurance companies are asking have you placed pictures of your vehicle on the internet recently, when a car is larcenized, vandalized or stolen. Maybe people should be thinking or worry more about there homes being burgularized or identity theft. Car dealer show plates all the time in their ads, for that matter many list a phone number and street address. A phone number is easier to get an address from then a license plate.

Remeber padlocks only keep honest people honest. If a thief wants a car stereo or other items from a car the thief can be in out before anyone notices. Thieves look for the easy opportunities to score, and usually do not do much planning.


Eric

[sky8811]

To all the above....

[jetta18T]

I just meant to share what I was told, I didn't necessarily argue that it made the best sense. As far as I know it's security purposes only. Maybe it's a peace of mind for the people who have posted their car knowing that the license plate is not visible, who the hell knows. I've never posted pictures so I wouldn't know. Just my 2 cents on that. I don't even know why it bothers some people that the license plate is blocked if they're not planning to do any kind of record check on the car. It's not the main focal point of the picture so just don't worry about it. Focus on the paint, wheels, etc...

[thejazzguy]

There's nothing wrong with taking the extra precaution of covering your plates on the internet. I'm surprised that so many people think its a silly idea. And that so many people even care. I agree with Jetta18T that it shouldn't bother anyone if the plate IS covered because the point of this forum is the paint.

[gb387]

Originally posted by thejazzguy
There's nothing wrong with taking the extra precaution of covering your plates on the internet. I'm surprised that so many people think its a silly idea. And that so many people even care. I agree with Jetta18T that it shouldn't bother anyone if the plate IS covered because the point of this forum is the paint.

With a plate number and state you can get an address, from there you never know. Yeah you can see them on any car on the street but one extra step to protect yourself as small as it is won't hurt.

[SpoiledMan]

In CA you're going to need some crooked connections to go along with that plate! You can't just call up and get the information. Also, you NEVER know who or what plate the Department of Justice has "flagged" and sometimes they place a call to find out why that plate was run. That puts the crooked connections in a *very* small minority. It's just really kind of pointless to do in this state. Other side is, I really don't care who does do it but it is a false sense of security.

[magnus]

Personally, I believe a false sense of security maybe better than thinking that you do not need security at all.

We all have locks on the doors of our houses, and usually make sure the windows are closed and locked while we are gone or sleeping. None of the these will keep a determined burglar out, but we still use them. Just as bars over windows, security alarms, private security (for those in gated communities), etc. are not full proof. I would imagine the same mentally is used for those that wish to block out their plates.

For arguments sake, I would imagine that most of the people in this forum have not complete filled out their profile information (homepage, chat, personal interests, occupation, full birthday -- including year, etc.). Some have even blocked being sent email through the board, hidden from being listed in the 'Logged In Users' list, hidden their email address, blocked PMs, haven't shown signatures, etc. For some, this may be for reasons of security, for others it may be that they do not wish to be bothered or harassed.

Fortunately, Meguiar's has fostered a sense of family, or at least respect for fellow forum members. This is a great place to discuss detailing issues, be a newbie and ask questions, or just have an opinion in the Breakroom and not be worried that you are going to be flamed or further harassed. There are few forums that have this sense of commonality.

As far as Superior Shine's original question:

Thousands see your plate # as you drive down the street. People see it while your vehicle is parked in front of your house.

How is displying it on the internet bad?

In my opinion, the thousands on the road don't have time to write down your plate number and track you down. A posted photo on the Internet is static. It is there for the world to see.

I would imagine that there are chop shops, or car thieves who use the Internet as a means to their lifestyle.

Personally, I block out my plates. I know 99% of MOL forum members could care less, but there are those outside the forum that have access that might. I don't see any reason to give them any information that they might be able to use.

[SpoiledMan]

You missed the point completely. You wear your license plate on you chest basically. A person sitting behind you at a light is more of a threat than some guy on the net, trust me. The guy behind you merely has to follow you home and the guy on the net has a whole lot more to go through and would be more easily served by just following someone home.

Blocking a plate does little if *any* for your security.

[Superior Shine]

SpoiledMan,

ZAAACKLY WHAT I THINK!

[lrosales]

I think who you are dictates the level of added security. We live in a world with a lot of sick and weird people. For lack of a better example, I'm sure Mike Phillips doesn't need some wierd stranger coming up to him as he gets home for a free personalized detailing lesson. And for SpoiledMan who says " In CA you're going to need some crooked connections to go along with that plate! ", that is just not the case. An address to a plate is fairly easy to aquire, if you know how to. And it's usually the bad people that know how to.

[SpoiledMan]

First, it's NOT personal and doesn't need to be.

Second, the information is a LOT more difficult to acquire than you think it is.

It's not my decision and you can take it for whatever you take it to be. Without having to involve anyone else in their "crime" someone could simply follow him home and accomplish the same thing.

You are personalizing the victim part of it. Random guy doesn't pick random guy on the net to get his plate number and go to his house. The criminal is interested in the loot no matter who has it. Now if the crime is personal then they know where to find you anyway be it your house or your job. Once they know one, the other is easy to find and you don't need a license plate to find it.

For instance, if I have a problem with Joe and I know that he's a mobile detailer, I simply call him make an appointment with him to drop my car off. Now I know where he works. I can follow him wherever I would like from there.

I'm not a criminal at all and never have been. I did however work with a group of guys that brought them to justice on the regular for a number of years.

[lrosales]

Not personal at all, and didn't mean for it to be. Was just pointing out that I thought your statement was incorrect. This is just a discusion. I'm not saying it's easy to get an address, but it's not that difficult either. Do you know anyone in law enforcement, particularly a police officer? If you do, ask them what address their plates are registered to. I guarantee you it's not their home address. You're right, anyone can be a victim of a random crime. But this is just a small layer of security from a targeted crime.