Why you should never post picture of your car number plate online

You need to keep your number plate secure
-Credit: (Image: Getty)


A security expert has explained why you shouldn't post a picture of your car with its number plate visible on social media - even though your number plate is always visible when you drive. Private investigator Aaron Bond from Bond Rees Investigations says if you are going to put a picture of your car online you should always obscure the plate.

Aaron said: "If you post pictures of your car on social media you should always blur the number plate. If you are selling your car it can make it more inconvenient for the other person but posting your registration online along with hashtags opens you up to all types of crimes.

"If someone wanted to find a car like theirs to use in a crime, they could just search certain hashtags on social media to find a similar car and copy your registration plates.

"Social media makes it easy for criminals to not only find a similar car, but also find out information about yourself that they can use if they are ever pulled over such as your name, date of birth and so on. Criminals can use the information you provide online not to arouse further suspicion with the police."

Aaron added: "While you have to legally show your number plate when driving and it's clear for anyone to see, it's much easier for someone to search online for a grey BWM M3 than it is to drive around and spot one.

"Within seconds of searching the hashtag #bmwm3 I can spot multiple cars showing their number plates. If I were a criminal, all I would now need to do is have the same number plate made and attach it to my car that can be used to commit crimes.

"Any crimes, speeding fines or parking charges amassed by this cloned car would now go directly to you the registered keeper and you would have to prove that you did not commit them. If there are multiple offences, this can take a lot of your time to try and fix.

"My advice is don't post your car online at all. While it can be nice to show others what you have, you only open yourself up to criminal activities."