Why do people hide license plates?

[Mike]

This is something I've wondered for quite a long time... When people upload photos of their cars to websites, why do they hide or obscure the license plate?

[EScanlon]

Conjecture Based on Hearsay:

At one time, purportedly with just the number of your plates, they could do a search through DMV records and in turn get your information.

That and "a friend of a friend" could do the DMV search for you etc.

Is it possible? Maybe.

FWIW

E

[bigoak]

That's pretty much it.

Now for some real paranoia...most of us have our vin's on the site (a number in our sig's)...+ license plate info (or real name) to get address...bam lien on your car...

Not quite that easy, but doable...

[Poindexter]

Before the Patriot Act I believe all you had to do was send in a postcard with the VIN or plate number to the DMV and they would sent you the name and address of the owner. Now I think they've changed all that.

[westpak]

it is so funny to me when people do that or warn others about it, it is not like we drive around with our tags covered, you are more likely to encounter unsavory characters out on the street than in the forum, and on the street they can just walk up to the car and get the VIN even

[sblake01]

Exactly! That's why the practice never really made sense to me. (You notice what my present avitar is)

[Poindexter]

Well, if somebody bearing ill will looks me up from my plates and decides to pay me a visit, perhaps they'll run into my next most enjoyable hobby- collecting WWII vintage firearms.

[DeesZ]

Well, if somebody bearing ill will looks me up from my plates and decides to pay me a visit, perhaps they'll run into my next most enjoyable hobby- collecting WWII vintage firearms.

Nice Garand! 30.06 rules in this house as well. Had the same hobby, but pretty much out of it now.

[Fun_in_my_z]

Well, if somebody bearing ill will looks me up from my plates and decides to pay me a visit, perhaps they'll run into my next most enjoyable hobby- collecting WWII vintage firearms.

I have a 303 British infeild

( Not for sale )

[sblake01]

Without going into details, let's just say I also have a contingency plan for un-invited visitors.

[Arne]

Yup, the above responses cover it. I used to do so, but don't bother any longer. It's not that easy to get info from DMV these days.

[Poindexter]

I don't know about other states, but to get a new driver's license here you need an original birth certificate, SS card, utility bill, and a letter from the Pope.

Things like this- and having to get my car inspected to pull into an underground garage in NYC actually are fine by me.