Why hide it?
- Thread starter azcat90
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Scramble
New member
Exactly!!!!
SpidermanGeek
New member
mtbtim
Elite Member
Because on the internet, you're advertising your license plate to a much grander audience than someone jotting down your license while you're driving. With a license, they could get your address. If someone noticed your heavily modded rig on the internet, and they are the thieving type, you've just showed them where they can pick it up.
I know auto theft is probably not a very common occurrence with 3rd Gen 4runners but I doubt anyone with a very expensive classic car is advertising their license plate number all over the net.
There's thieves everywhere you go. Some of the lowest scum on Earth if you ask me.
Chas of MRT
New member
Ive always thought it is because thieves frequent forums. They get your plate, find out where you live, youve got your mod list online somewhere might as well be a grocery list to them.
When we were building a lot drift cars a few years back, that was very commonplace. You would finish up a build that you had been documenting on the forum, and two days later the whole ride is gone
When we were building a lot drift cars a few years back, that was very commonplace. You would finish up a build that you had been documenting on the forum, and two days later the whole ride is gone
jstim
New member
Tell [MENTION=60147]the great him[/MENTION] that auto theft isn't a common occurrence with 3rd gens. He's had a pretty unfortunate go.
AZBub
New member
Plate is just one step to identity. With it comes an address, a name etc. We all know rules don't apply to people intent on doing bad things. They may not be keen on stealing our vehicles but a lot of us have high value items on and in them like RTT's, Fridges, stereos, radios, LED's, tools ect....
I wont even start on identity theft, but it can start with a license plate and a name. Remember any pic you post here is available to anyone who has internet access not just members.
Then some people may post a clear pic of their face....I wont even talk about the face identity software. I mean Facebook can do it......
I wont even start on identity theft, but it can start with a license plate and a name. Remember any pic you post here is available to anyone who has internet access not just members.
Then some people may post a clear pic of their face....I wont even talk about the face identity software. I mean Facebook can do it......
That was true 20 years ago. Because of new privacy laws you can't go into the local DMV office with a plate number and ask for the owners name/address any longer.
AntleredRuin
New member
Yeah like if you have a friend who's a crooked cop.
I get that we're advertising to a 'larger audience', but in big cities, several hundred thousand people have the opportunity to see a specific someone's license plate every day. If that gave ALL your personal info, they'd rethink the system.
It's not like we're driving around with our names and/or SSN badged on the sides.
I very highly doubt that a license plate number is an often used 'tool' in vehicle theft/ vandalism. If that were the case, the DOT would rethink the system. Insurance companies would gang together and force them to.
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
I normally see it on Craigslist or auto listing sites. These will often give a "general area" of where you live, even down to the neighborhood. So some scumbag likes you car, sees the general area you live in and drives the streets. Sees the vehicle that matches the plates and takes it.
The only car my family had stolen wasn't because of listing it online but rather because my brother put an expensive sub in the back and always boomed it down the neighborhood.
P.S. my vehicles are garaged! What's more important, your $20,000 in cars on your driveway or the useless junk in your garage?
The only car my family had stolen wasn't because of listing it online but rather because my brother put an expensive sub in the back and always boomed it down the neighborhood.
P.S. my vehicles are garaged! What's more important, your $20,000 in cars on your driveway or the useless junk in your garage?
Well of course there is. There's little that will stop a determined thief, but yet most lock their doors.
People cover up their license plates, but document all the crap they've bolted on to their rigs either through their signature posted every time they have something to say or via build threads.:ybrick:
jeremyc74
Banned
If I owned a car that was extremely desirable or prone to theft (like an Acura Type R for example), I'd be careful about it, but with anything else, I couldn't care less.
Thousands of people on the roads see my license plate every day. Any one of them could write it down and go searching for my address just as easily as if they'd found it online. Thieves who are interested in stealing wheels or mods off a 15 year old truck worth $5k generally aren't that sophisticated.
Thousands of people on the roads see my license plate every day. Any one of them could write it down and go searching for my address just as easily as if they'd found it online. Thieves who are interested in stealing wheels or mods off a 15 year old truck worth $5k generally aren't that sophisticated.
TXLX1
New member
I'm a license plate hider and I'll tell you why. It's not one piece of information that can lead to identity theft, stolen car, revealing your name, address, etc. It's an accumulation of data that makes all of the above listed easier on the crook. In Texas, if I had a plate number I could easily get your name and address. It's not to hide it from the upstanding forum members, it's the small percentage of dishonest folks.