[Mini Cruiser]

As some of u know i use a few classic mini sites on the net. Theres been alot of classic minis of the forums being nicked, not 1 or 2 but ALOT and mostly high profile cars r going missing.

Don't give out details of where you live
Don't give out any details of your registration plates
Don't give out any engine numbers/vin numbers etc

and please Blank out registration plates while posting pictures.

I dont wanna alarm people but if someones using the net to target cars, then i think its wise people r on there guard!

[yidaho]

Thanks for the warning. Scary stuff. I shall blank out plates of any pics I post in the future and edit those I have posted in the past. Just out of interest, how much information on the owner and location can be gleaned from a registration number?

[Mini Cruiser]

Quote:

Originally posted by yidaho
Thanks for the warning. Scary stuff. I shall blank out plates of any pics I post in the future and edit those I have posted in the past. Just out of interest, how much information on the owner and location can be gleaned from a registration number?

My guess would be if they are in the 'position' to access information, they could find out the address the car is registered to.

[Maquis]

Thanks for that - you have to be so careful with the information you give out.

All it takes is for someone to put your registration on their car and you end up having to convince the courts that it wasn't your car that flew past a speed camera at 130mph

[northandy]

thanks for the warning !!

[Prowse]

It's always a good idea not to provide too much info on open forums.

Stealing older cars, i.e., the Mini rather than the MINI, is happening a lot at the moment as new cars a harder to steal. There is apparently a thriving market for old cars being broken-up and sold for parts.

[Loui]

Thats scary cars being stolen like that. Why cant people leave other people stuff alown There have been a couple of cases on Mini2 where people have had new Minis stolen but those cases involved the keys to the cars being taken Please do as mini curiser says and blank all plates cause we dont want anyone put in the position of having no car. Thanks for the warning MC

[Kev'sCoop]

On the topic of safety how many off you guys leave your keys on the hall table? WELL DONT there was spate of thefts through this in my area they just look through the door see the keys either put somehting through the door or sneak in and it bye bye car. Some punk tried with me at crimbo but i had my keys in my pocket and was at the door Savvy. Take care guys and if you catch the scum beat them har har.

kev

[schapman]

Thanks for the warning MC, I will definately edit the piccies I put on the site from now on. Mustn't make it easy for these 'low lifes'

[Paul]

If people are "shopping" for a certain car, then the internet could well help them find it. Showing your car at a MINI/car show is could also be like displaying it in the shop window for a thief (a good selling point for show plates maybe?).

It's good point about where you leave your keys too, it's often easier to break into a house with a nice car parked outside, grab the keys and drive off, than it is to break into a modern car with all the security etc. Plus, that way the car you've stolen isn't damaged goods.

So, like everything in life, be sensible, take care of yourself and others, but don't get too paranoid.

[Mini Cruiser]

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul Mullett
Showing your car at a MINI/car show is could also be like displaying it in the shop window for a thief (a good selling point for show plates maybe?).

I totally agree see piccy ........

I always sleep with my keys next to me, never leave them down stairs, it was in the paper only the other day, 2 cars were stole in the nite around my area, where they broke in, nicked the keys and did one.

[yidaho]

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul Mullett
So, like everything in life, be sensible, take care of yourself and others, but don't get too paranoid.

Jerry Springer meets Nick Ross.

[Loui]

Quote:

Originally posted by Mini Cruiser


it was in the paper only the other day, 2 cars were stole in the nite around my area, where they broke in, nicked the keys and did one.

Best was the next door neighbours of my moms friends. They rung the door bell then pushed past them as they opened the door, then drove off in their new TT

[MarkW19]

It's actually very easy to get name/address of someone just from their registration plate.

I was doing an insurance quote on the 'net the other day, and it asked me to enter my reg no. I did, and it came back with my postcode to make sure it was me. "Is this the right postcode?". I didn't have to put anything in apart from my reg no and name (which didn't have to match with the car). Scary really.

[yidaho]

Quote:

Originally posted by MarkW19
It's actually very easy to get name/address of someone just from their registration plate.

I was doing an insurance quote on the 'net the other day, and it asked me to enter my reg no. I did, and it came back with my postcode to make sure it was me. "Is this the right postcode?". I didn't have to put anything in apart from my reg no and name (which didn't have to match with the car). Scary really.

Yeah, I had a feeling this might be the case. I seem to recall something similar happening to me a few years back, again with an online insurance quote. IIRC it also came up with the car make and model too! I'm amazed that they are allowed to do this! I'd have thought this would be in breach of our privacy rights, but it's seemingly not.

[Shaun]

Noticed a lot of car mags are covering/obscuring private number plates more and more I think it is good policy and good courtesey to do the same here.
Maybe we will get sued for making it dificult for car thieves to earn a living?

[M0D]

Quote:

Originally posted by yidaho
I'm amazed that they are allowed to do this! I'd have thought this would be in breach of our privacy rights, but it's seemingly not.

That's the trouble with the kind of life we are living these days - we are ALL on some kind of database out of our hands (probably always have been and always will be - just unaware - these days it's easier to access) if the server thinks you are requesting relevant information to yourself why shouldn't it give it away without a thought - servers don't think remember!

How much junk mail do you receive with the same 4-digit mailing number in the right hand corner?? Where did they get that from then???

We should all be extra vigilant - especially if we own a desirable car such as the MINI! > > > The trouble is, I think if somebody really wanted to steal my MINI they would.

I don't think I could do much more to stop the wanna-be-thief from taking my prize posssion apart from my usual garage bolt/padlock/ sleep with the keys under my pillow jobby...

(DAMN I've just given my hiding place away )
Everybody in my area knows what I drive by now anyhow....

Hope everyone sleeps well tonight...
thanks for the alert MC...

[Mini Cruiser]

M0D, ur so right! its not far that these people can access stuff about u without asking first.

I spoke to one of the classic owners off the site, and so far he knows of 8 minis off the classic forums that have been taken

[deej]

Sign of the times im afraid

Perhaps an investment into a tracker system would be wortwhile http://corporate.itisholdings.com/navtrak/mini.htm

Trackers are available for around £250 for installation and £99 per year or £299 for lifetime subscription while you own the car

[Andy_D]

A bit spooky this but a few nights ago some t$$t tried to steal my classic RSP mini cooper. This car has been on a few classic mini sites with it plate on full display. it just goes to show you dont know who's watching.

Thanks for the warning Mini Crusier I will be a bit more aware when posting pictures.

Regards


Andy