Why do people black out their license plates in pictures?

[Imbuere]

First they would need to know what police department to call. Not easy to do with a license plate. Your ip address gives away more information, that's how doxing works.

Depending upon the state that’s not entirely true. Look at my plate and you’ll know there’s over a 50%chance I’m in the Denver metro area.

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[ShadowsPapa]

I know where you hide now LOL

I'm really well hidden with dozens of AMC people knowing my exact address so they can send me things to fix.
You'd have to get past these guys, though - my watch kitties -

 

[ColoFreeJeeper]

 

[Gren71]

 

[SwampNut]

 

[DawnViola]

12+ years in law enforcement. My plate is already visible to the public, I don't care if some people on the internet see it too.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

12+ years in law enforcement. My plate is already visible to the public, I don't care if some people on the internet see it too.

Ranger Walker's plates were plainly visible on his Dodge truck for years......... (fake, I know - like 555 phone numbers)

 

[ClaytonH]

In the car business, atleast in the state of Texas, we can get just about anyone's info as far as the registered address, lien holder if there is one, what they paid for it and pretty much all contact info just by the license plate number. I guess if someone had access to it which is near impossible unless you are a dealer they could find you.

 

[u-joint]

 

[Gren71]

I feel like my computer is sending me a not so subtle message...

 

[texanjeeper]

Makes no difference. A regular (non law enforcement) person can't just lookup anyone's plate number and access their information. Any online site claiming to do that is lying.

I use to have access to a DMV database and it was not something easy to obtain and access to it is heavily scrutinized. If I had to use it, I needed to provide justification.

This is quite simply false. Due to a job I had a while back, I accessed a website that for a small fee, would allow access to several state DMV records. Lookup by license plate was just one of the ways you could find somebody. It gave full DMV records including address, and the information on your drivers license. This was not a site specifically for selected individuals, it was open to the public and I'm very sure it still exists today.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Almost all info is public these days. There are open sites that allow you to type in a license number and get addresses and more. And for NO fee.
But IMO, big deal. It's easier to stalk in parking lots, gather plate info there and then hit them locally instead of going from NY to CO to steal or break in. So someone in FL can see my address or where I bought my truck and for how much. So? I'm more worried about that white van I keep seeing going around the neighborhood and then woke up the next morning to see all of our Christmas decorations gone. They didn't do that by a license plate on the internet.
The concern is people within minutes of where you live, IMO.
If someone wants something of yours - there's easier ways to get it and it's most likely going to be someone in your county, at least your own state.
I can gather info on some VERY nice cars by cruising certain parking lots and I know the people will be not far from me - fast, easy targets. And if I'm patient, I can wait until they come out for their car and capture any RF signals............... why mess with a plate on the web that's hours away?

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