There's an urban legend, Internet rumor, SPAM marketing scheme regarding auto thieves using a vehicles VIN number to obtain keys to the vehicle. While Snopes and other sources have, at least partially repudiated this misinformation (the methods described are not nearly as easy or effective as some would have use believe), there are some issues one should be concerned with regarding VIN access and just what amount and what type of information is available via the VIN number.
There are worse things than having your vehicle stolen. The owners name and address are retained with the registration and title and thus available from accessing the VIN records. There are software programs... and even an iPhone application that individuals can use to access this data. Not all of the resources make it a point to secure the data. Some methods of security are better than others. So... obscuring the VIN with a piece of tape is not a bad idea. If a police officer or tow truck driver needs the number... they can pull the tape off.
Another issue that people should be aware of is how much personal information they themselves provide to every stranger they cross paths with throughout the day. Stickers, passes and logos from schools, gyms, organization and employers all give the local dirt bag of where you work, where you train, where you or your children go to school.
If your employer or organization requires you to display a parking pass, see if you can place it on a card that you can set on the dash while at work. Then remove it and place it in the glove box or console when you leave.
Yes... this stuff sounds ridiculous... to anyone living in the seemingly "safe" haven of the western world. Spend some time in a 3rd world crap hole, where kidnapping is a major business (like Mexico, whose capitol city currently LEADS THE WORLD in kidnappings) and see how things work. It's doubtful that you'll see the local executive driving about in their Mercedes with a bumper sticker that reads "My kid is an honor student at ABC academy." They don't want people to know where their kids attend school... and you shouldn't either! If one applies some forethought... and "common" sense this is actually a VERY arrogant and idiotic thing to do.
1) Most rational people don't give a damn where you child, grand child or dog goes to school. What possesses a sane person to plaster such unwanted information on their vehicle?
2) Those that do care are most likely either the other drivers you've cut off in traffic who now wish to do you bodily harm... or the pervert who catches a glimpse of you precious cargo through a rear or side window.
The same is true for those ridiculous "Baby On Board" signs. As if displaying such an item is going to make the driver behind you behave less like an ass and more like an adult. None of the road signs have done the trick and traffic laws are backed up with a cop and a gun. Your crummy paper sign is a futile cry for attention... and whoa be to you if you actually manage to get it.
Some rapists, stalkers and home invaders have picked their victims by recording the phone numbers shown on FOR SALE signs taped inside of vehicle windows. This is a popular trick for burglars to figure out if an individual is at home or not. "What should I do in a situation where I NEED to post a phone number?! What's you answer to that, smart guy?! You're being ridiculous!" Spend the $15 on a disposable cell phone, moron! List THAT as the contact phone number!
Of course many of you "don't like to think about this" or are of the opinion that you are immune and such horrific things will never happen to you. How many people who have been victims of violent crimes had the same misconception? It's likely that most of them did because you rarely hear of anyone who PREPARED THEMSELVES being a victim. It's nearly always the ones who didn't see it coming and obviously thought that it would never happen to them.
Take a look at the statistics for child abductions some time. These grabs take place in predominantly rural and suburban locations. The same is true for home invasion attacks. This is because there are more viable targets available and the "hunting ground" is relatively secluded. Victims project an attitude of innocence and naivete`. It's also easier for attackers and kidnappers to egress from such areas than from an inner city grid. Lastly, most kids who grow up in an urban environment aren't stupid when it comes to what's going on in their own neighborhoods. This is quite different from the apparent brain dead routine followed by the coddled suburbanite.
A youth who is born and raised in a "crappy neighborhood" KNOWS that he lives in a crappy neighborhood. This may be the one saving grace of coming from an economically challenged theater. Those people probably know not to trust strangers... and even more importantly... what CONSTITUTES a stranger. (Of course, the alternative side of that is that many of these kids become predators themselves.)
People who normally reside in the Hinterlands are unfamiliar with such threats and thus better "game" for the violent predator. They're conditioned to blithely go about their daily drill: taking kids to school and other activities, grocery shopping, dog walking, jogging and whatever else their lives entail.
In recent years however, we have seen a softening of urbanites. I personally attribute it to the influx of outsiders into the urban communities in search of employment. That and the fact that the state and the media have (whether intentionally or accidentally... the former is my own suspicion) "civilized" the population to the point where not only are they utterly incapable of defending themselves, they find the very suggestion that they do so abhorrent.
Many people of late, myself being one of them, have used the example of the Eloi and the Morlock from the HG Wells classic The Time Machine. I will not go into detail at this point but suffice it to say that if you wish to get the future of the human species, these characters provide an excellent example in my opinion. The most frustrating aspect of this is that the Eloi are quite often arrogant and elitist in their imbecilic positions on self-defense and preparedness. Victimhood has been escalate to near-godliness... but only so long as they REMAIN A VICTIM. Choose to fight back and you probably be shunned. Yes, even among your family members, who may comment "I'm glad your okay." but recoil when you exclaim "Let's see the worthless bastard try that again... from his new wheelchair!"
Many times I have heard such individuals claim that they would not resist even of their own life or the lives of their loved ones were directly threatened. Fine for you. Please don't project your pathological and baneful values on me or mine. Honestly, anyone espousing that type of psychotic tripe DESERVES to be victimized as an example for people who still have the capacity to think for themselves.
And of course we have the social web content... of which I myself am guilty of participating. Give out as little information as possible here. Don't post anything that you don't want made available to EVERYONE. Even locking down your information to "just friends" doesn't keep you photograph from being turned searchable under your user name... which should be an alias if possible.
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