Why obscure your license plate in photos here?

[WoodWorks]

I‘ve noticed that some here make sure to obscure their license plate when posting photos of their truck, and I was wondering: why? After all, anyone on the street can see and read the license plate. So it’s no secret. And if there was some risk to having someone read your license plate, wouldn’t someone nearby represent a greater threat to you than someone on the Internet, who is likely to be hundreds or even thousands of miles away? No one (other than a cop) can read your license plate and get any personal information about you from your state’s DMV. So I guess I don’t understand how there is any risk to having my license plate visible in a photo here. Can anyone clue me in about the risk?

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[Waterick]

Well, it could identify who you really are on the forum. If this matters to you. I guess it really depends on what you have posted and who noticed ect, ect.

 

[dalola]

 

[Deleted member 30736]

Well, with being in the Witness Protection Program and all....

 

[mspmms]

Well, with being in the Witness Protection Program and all....

Yeah, we kinda knew . . .

Spoiler: Your T-shirt gave it away

 

[bighead]

Not an issue for me.

 

[Bob The Builder]

I haven't. Everybody sees it when I drive down the road anyway.

 

[Swede.]

No one (other than a cop) can read your license plate and get any personal information about you from your state’s DMV.

Not correct.
Any registered car dealer, private investigators, 911 dispatch (which are usually private companies), and it's also highly likely you can get the information via public records requests (likely need a pretty good reason for the latter though!).
And we know how legitimate and serious all car dealers are... so no person ever working at a car lot etc. would get you that info for 20 bucks right.

 

[WoodWorks]

Not correct.
Any registered car dealer, private investigators, 911 dispatch (which are usually private companies), and it's also highly likely you can get the information via public records requests (likely need a pretty good reason for the latter though!).

Actually, car dealers can't get access to any personal info about you, though they can get info about the car. And again, your license plate is visible to anyone who sees you drive by on the street. So how does posting a photo of your truck here (or anywhere else on the Internet) expose you to any additional risk?

 

[Swede.]

You'll get an address, and that can lead to all kinds if trouble if your targeted by someone, like roadrage, thiefs that want your truck, burglar etc.
Posting ANY personal related information online is always a risk that you have to judge by what you are willing to risk. It's really easy to cover your plate and have zero drawbacks.

 

[Silver23]

Actually, car dealers can't get access to any personal info about you, though they can get info about the car. And again, your license plate is visible to anyone who sees you drive by on the street. So how does posting a photo of your truck here (or anywhere else on the Internet) expose you to any additional risk?

I think it's simply the least amount of info out there about you the better.

 

[WoodWorks]

You'll get an address, and that can lead to all kinds if trouble if your targeted by someone, like roadrage, thiefs that want your truck, burglar etc.

Nope. They can't get an address or any other personal information. They can only can get info about the car. It's spelled out plainly in the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA).

Under the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), unauthorized people can’t access personal information from a license plate or motor vehicle record. This information includes your Social Security number (SSN), name and address, driver’s license number, and more.

 

[Baloo]

INo one (other than a cop) can read your license plate and get any personal information about you from your state’s DMV.

That is simply not true. Here in Indiana anyone can walk into the bureau of motor vehicles pay the fee and get the information.

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