Please be careful with photos....

Rez90 said:
i don't really understand the logic in what you're saying as these are the same plates that people drive around with all day long for everyone to see.....
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Well, as you may have heard, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America. Even faster than politics.

Criminals looking to steal ID's aren't going to sit on a street corner and watch cars go by to get their plates. It's much easier to just search online at forums like these. They see a nice car with a clear plate, say to themselves "Hey, that's a nice car. They must have money", run their plates, and BAM! they start getting credit cards, etc., in the name of the person with that nice car on a forum with the plates plainly seen.

Heck, I'm even scared to use my real birthday on forums, because your birthday is an identifying factor when someone wants to apply for a cc.

Basically, any time you post identifying information on the interwebs, you make an ID thief's job that much easier.
 
You can google phone numbers and get alot of info also. I know you can get private addresses and business names. So if you don't recognize a call coming in on your phone and can google the # and find out where and sometimes who is trying to call you. The internet has broken down alot of our privacy, not to mention the direction our gov. is heading.
 
BWG707 said:
The internet has broken down alot of our privacy, not to mention the direction our gov. is heading.
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Yes, the direction our gov't is heading is scarier than anything a common criminal or terrorist could do. Just a simple knowledge of history is all you need to have your pants scared off.

Weimar republic, anyone?
 
Rolling_Pwns said:
Basically, any time you post identifying information on the interwebs, you make an ID thief's job that much easier.
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I actually thought about ordering from online-retailers by credit card/PayPal once...Then didn't go through with it!!

:)

Bob
 
Hey you can never be too carefull, when it comes to your personal security. I am new to the forum but I just had to comment when I saw the initial post. A dishonest person if he wants something bad enough, will get your personal info or car or whatever. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't do what you can to protect yourself or property from criminal activity, to make yourself not look like an easy target. Make it too much trouble for the bad guy and he will look for easier prey. Hey just putting in my 2 cents worth after almost 26 years of 5_0 service and counting. :iagree:
 
I think what Tom is getting at is the fact that the poster of that thread gave the celebrity's name in addition to the plate. If that car was just going down the road you may notice it because it's not a common car, but you most likely wouldn't say "Hey, that's Nicklas Lidstrom!" You never know what someone's intentions may be.

It's a personal safety thing, not just related to identity theft. You guys don't see it likely because you don't have the criminal mindset, which is a good thing. In this case maybe you have a crazy fan of another team who would want to vandalize it or something. Now they have pictures of his car and the plate which can make things easier for them.
 
RChicago said:
Evil, in Indiana plate can be reversed looked up by soc number. Therefore when I run your plate (if you lived in Indiana) I can get a photo and your social number.
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Yeah, but you can do that because you are a LEO...I'm a civilian and I'm pretty sure there's no way I can "run a plate".
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Yeah, but you can do that because you are a LEO...I'm a civilian and I'm pretty sure there's no way I can "run a plate".
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There are websites out there that claim to give you registration information if you pay. Whether or not they work, I don't know.
 
greg72982 said:
There are websites out there that claim to give you registration information if you pay. Whether or not they work, I don't know.
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In my state that would be highly illegal. Even LEO's are logged on the plates they run (as I know when I asked my LEO friend to "run a plate" for me and he refused because he said it's all recorded and he has to have a reason). I really don't know why some LEO's (including my friend) develop this rampant paranoia (I guess it's from being around bad guys all the time?). My friend is sure Obama is going to take his guns away. Even IF we got stricter gun control in this country, existing weapons would be grandfathered, and LEO's and retired LEO's would be the LAST ones to have their gun rights curtailed. Heck, we have some of the tightest handgun control here in NJ but LEO's and even RETIRED LEO's can CC without a permit, just based on their LEO status, they can take their guns on planes (checked) etc. etc.
 
Very good advice! Thanks for posting this!
 
i've got no issue knowing or not knowing a retired cop is on my flight and he may or may not have a gun... Well as long as he's in the right state of mind... :)
 
Setec Astronomy said:
In my state that would be highly illegal. Even LEO's are logged on the plates they run (as I know when I asked my LEO friend to "run a plate" for me and he refused because he said it's all recorded and he has to have a reason). I really don't know why some LEO's (including my friend) develop this rampant paranoia (I guess it's from being around bad guys all the time?). My friend is sure Obama is going to take his guns away. Even IF we got stricter gun control in this country, existing weapons would be grandfathered, and LEO's and retired LEO's would be the LAST ones to have their gun rights curtailed. Heck, we have some of the tightest handgun control here in NJ but LEO's and even RETIRED LEO's can CC without a permit, just based on their LEO status, they can take their guns on planes (checked) etc. etc.
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Paranoia isn't always bad thing in LE work. Your friend is correct though. Here in PA police can randomly check plates on patrol which isn't in itself a reason but it's definitely not like running one for your buddy, running your neighbors plates, etc.

The courts have ruled there is no expectation of privacy for a registration as it is actually owned by the DOT and not the motorist. This applies to police though, not your everyday civilian.

NJ has some serious issues regarding weapons but that's something for another thread :)
 
FUNX725 said:
I actually thought about ordering from on line-retailers by credit card/PayPal once...Then didn't go through with it!!

:)

Bob
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We use a single credit card for on-line purchases only. Purposely set up for that and that use only. 'She' even made sure it has a low limit.

Living in a small town, on-line shopping is kind of a way of life.

Bill
 
Rant - No

Common sense and some great information - Yes

Thanks Tom!! :props:
 
Rolling_Pwns said:
Yes, the direction our gov't is heading is scarier than anything a common criminal or terrorist could do. Just a simple knowledge of history is all you need to have your pants scared off.

Weimar republic, anyone?
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I would worry less about the government but worry about Facebook plus people willingly give out so much information on themselves and others.
 
Bunky said:
I would worry less about the government but worry about Facebook plus people willingly give out so much information on themselves and others.
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Hi Al,

Boy do I agree with you!!

For reasons that escape me completely, people feel compelled to open the personal floodgates and post their inner most secrets on FaceBook. I don't subscribe to any of them, not even one, but even if I did I'm savvy enough to keep the important stuff close to the vest....
 
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