Did you see someone taking pictures of your license plate number and start wondering what someone can do with the number?
Well, the answer is simple; because your vehicle’s license plate number is a unique identifier issued by the government that identifies you and your vehicle, there are so many things someone can do with it.
What Can Someone Do With Your License Plate Number?
Here’s what someone can do with your license plate number:
1. They Can Access Your Public Records
Indeed, someone can use your license plate number to access your public records which are documents or pieces of information that are not considered confidential and are available to the public.
The most basic information that can be accessed using a license plate number is the vehicle’s registration details such as:
- The make, model, and year of the vehicle
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Registration status and expiration date
Public records can also reveal the title history of your vehicle such as previous owners, any liens on the vehicle, and whether the car has a salvage title.
In some jurisdictions, more detailed personal information about the vehicle owner can be accessed like the owner’s name and address.
However, privacy laws usually protect this information to prevent misuse, and accessing it requires a legitimate reason or legal authority.
Moreover, while not all details are freely accessible due to privacy laws, certain services can provide information about vehicle registration, car title history, and sometimes even the owner’s name and address.
Suppose you don’t want your personal information to be readily available via public records. In that case, you can request that your personal information be kept confidential in public records if your jurisdiction allows.
You should also avoid sharing your license plate number unnecessarily, especially online or in unsecured environments, and consider using privacy shields for your license plate when parked in public places to prevent unauthorized copying of your plate number.
2. Stalking and Harassment
Someone with malicious intent could use your license plate number to find more personal information about you, which he could use to stalk or harass you.
This is a rare but serious concern, especially if the individual manages to find your address or other contact details through public records or unscrupulous means.
So, how can license plate numbers be used for stalking and harassment?
In some areas, a license plate number can be used to access one’s personal information through public records. Although many regions have laws to protect sensitive information, there are still ways that determined individuals might exploit this data.
For example, they could use online databases, request information through certain legal loopholes, or use connections with individuals who have authorized access, such as in law enforcement or private investigations.
A stalker can use a license plate number to track your movements. By observing where your vehicle is frequently parked, they can determine patterns in your daily routine, leading to physical stalking, where the individual follows you from place to place.
Furthermore, with enough information, a stalker might not only follow you in the physical world but also harass you online. They could use the details obtained from your vehicle’s registration to find your social media profiles, and contact information, or even place unwelcome calls or messages.
The risk involved in this kind of event is too much. Stalking can escalate from being an uncomfortable nuisance to a serious threat to your physical safety.
If a stalker knows your address or daily routine, they might confront you or attempt to enter your home or place of work.
Moreover, being stalked or harassed can have severe emotional and psychological consequences. You may end up experiencing stress, anxiety, and a pervasive sense of fear that can disrupt your daily life and your overall well-being.
So, if you suspect that someone is using your license plate number to stalk or harass you, report it to the police immediately, and consider applying for a confidential license plate if you feel at risk.
3. Cloning and Vehicle Fraud
Someone can clone your car’s license plate numbers to commit crimes or evade fines and tolls. The person can even go the extra mile in cloning the plate numbers and using them on the same make, model, and color of your car to commit crimes, making it appear as though your vehicle is involved.
If someone clones your license plates, you might start receiving tickets or notices for violations you didn’t commit.
One of the most common uses of cloned plates is to avoid traffic violations and tolls. The fraudster can speed, run red lights, or bypass tolls without being caught, as the fines and penalties are sent to the registered owner of the cloned license plate; which is you.
They may use the cloned plates to engage in illegal activities such as theft, smuggling, or transporting illegal goods. If the vehicle is spotted or caught by law enforcement, the records will point back to the innocent owner of the cloned plate.
However, license plate cloning can also be used to disguise stolen vehicles. By placing a legitimate license plate from a similar car onto the stolen one, the criminal can sell the stolen vehicle more easily, making it extremely difficult for authorities to trace the vehicle back to the original theft.
As the registered owner of the cloned plate, you may receive fines and penalties for traffic violations, toll evasion, and other infractions you did not commit, leading to financial strain and a time-consuming process to contest these charges.
In more severe cases, you could find yourself involved in criminal activities, leaving you with no other option than to prove your innocence and disassociate yourself from the crimes, which can be a stressful and lengthy legal battle.
It might even damage your reputation. You might face scrutiny from law enforcement or your community, affecting your personal and professional life.
Therefore, if you receive fines or notices for violations you did not commit, report them to the issuing authority immediately. Provide evidence that your vehicle was not at the location of the violation.
Moreover, if you suspect that your license plate has been cloned:
- File a report with your local police department. Provide them with all relevant information, including any fines or notices you’ve received.
- Inform your state’s DMV about the situation. They can flag your vehicle’s records and assist in resolving any fraudulent charges.
- Collect any evidence that proves your innocence, such as receipts, photographs, or witness statements showing where your vehicle was at the time of the reported violations.
- Formally dispute any fines or penalties with the issuing authorities. Submit the evidence you’ve gathered to support your case.
- If the cloning incidents persist, you might consider requesting new license plates from the DMV to prevent further misuse.
4. Accidents and Insurance Fraud
Someone who took pictures of your license plate number can use it in various ways including being involved in accidents and insurance fraud.
For example, fraudsters may stage an accident and falsely claim that your vehicle was involved. They might note your license plate number from a parking lot or while driving and then use it to report that your car caused the accident.
If a hit-and-run accident occurs and a witness incorrectly identifies your license plate or a perpetrator deliberately provides your plate number, you could be wrongfully accused, resulting in legal troubles and insurance claims against you.
However, falsely implicated in an accident can lead to legal battles, fines, and criminal charges. Moreover, proving your innocence can be a lengthy and stressful process.
Some dishonest repair shops might use your license plate number to file fraudulent insurance claims for repairs that were never done or inflate the costs of legitimate repairs.
This can result in increased premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses. You might be held financially responsible for damages and repairs you didn’t cause.
If you suspect you are a victim of insurance fraud or have been falsely implicated in an accident:
- File a police report detailing the incident and your suspicion of fraud. Make sure to provide any evidence you have to support your claim.
- Inform your insurance provider about the suspected fraud, and provide them with the police report and any additional evidence you have gathered.
- Collect any evidence that can prove your innocence, such as dash cam footage, witness statements, and GPS data showing your vehicle’s location at the time of the alleged incident.
- Formally dispute any false claims with your insurance company and the issuing authorities. Submit all the evidence you have collected to support your case.
- If the situation escalates, consider seeking legal advice from a lawyer/attorney who specializes in insurance fraud or criminal defense. They can help go through the legal process and protect your rights.
5. Parking Tickets and Fines
One of the more common ways that your license plate number can be misused is in the context of parking tickets and fines.
Errors can happen when a parking enforcement officer mistakenly records your license plate number instead of the actual offender’s, resulting in you receiving a parking ticket for a violation you did not commit.
In some cases, someone might intentionally report your license plate number to avoid penalties themselves. This could happen if someone illegally parks their vehicle and, upon being caught, provides your license plate number instead of their own.
If you’ve ever rented out or shared your vehicle, the person using it might accumulate parking tickets and fines without informing you, leading to unexpected penalties if they fail to pay or contest the tickets.
What Information Can Someone Get From Your License Plate Number?
The information someone can get from your license plate number is as follows:
Your Vehicle Details
- Make, model, and year of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Registration status and expiration date.
- License plate number and type.
- Title information, including whether the vehicle has been reported as salvaged or stolen.
Your Personal Information
- Name and address of the registered owner.
- Contact information, such as phone number and email address.
- Previous owners’ details, if applicable.
Your Vehicle History
- Accident and damage reports.
- Maintenance and service records.
- Odometer readings and discrepancies.
- Emissions and inspection results.
- Recall history.
Your Legal and Administrative Information
- Liens and loans on the vehicle.
- Traffic violations and tickets associated with the vehicle.
- Parking violations.
However, the sharing of this information is governed by privacy laws and regulations, such as the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) in the United States, which limits access to personal information to protect individuals’ privacy.
As reiterated earlier, even with the DPPA involved, people can still use loopholes to find personal information about you through your license plate numbers.
How to Protect Your License Plate Information
To protect your license plate information, you need to:
- Mind Where You Park Your Car: Avoid leaving your vehicle in sketchy areas where someone might have the time to copy your plate details.
- Use Anti-Theft Screws: Use anti-theft screws to prevent your plates from being stolen and used for illegal activities.
- Regularly Check Your Vehicle Records: Make sure that your vehicle records are accurate and report any discrepancies immediately.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you notice someone taking undue interest in your license plates, or if you receive unexpected fines or notices, report it to the authorities immediately.
- Privacy Requests: In some areas, you can request that your personal information be kept confidential in vehicle registration databases.
Conclusion
Someone can use your license plate numbers to get information about you through public records or dubious loopholes to stalk or harass you.
They can even go to the extent of cloning or duplicating your license plate number, use it in the same car that looks like yours, and then use it to commit a crime.
Therefore, if you notice someone may be using your license plates for dubious activities, please report to the police immediately. Do not keep quiet about that.
