HILO
Member
hawkspringsfire said:I read some where that repo companies paid people to install them on their cars and drive around. When they got a hit of a car that needed repoed they called the company and got a finders fee.
hawkspringsfire said:I read some where that repo companies paid people to install them on their cars and drive around. When they got a hit of a car that needed repoed they called the company and got a finders fee.
HILO said:Yes it is perfectly legal. When I see one of these private cars with LPR's, I always try to turn around and take a picture of it. Some of the vehicles are owned by the companies, while others are independent contractors (like a courier or auto rescue) in their own vehicles. I've found the ones driving their own cars are the ones that really get upset having their picture taken!
Cam said:I guess I don't really see a problem with it. Can someone explain what the problem is? I can drive down the street or in a parking lot and look at plates all day long if I want. The newer IP cameras we buy can do this if we wanted them to. I guess if you haven't been making your car payments or are out driving around in a stolen I could see where you might not be a fan.
TheGatekeeper said:I do.
Looking at plates and writing them down will not tell you the driver's personal details unless you start follow them home and stalk them...
As long as these repo guys have access to a limited database -tag numbers read by their ANPR cams only flag tag numbers matching cars to be repo'd- it's acceptable I suppose. But I wouldn't want them to be able to punch in my daughter's plate number and get to know where she lives.
Is this scenario farfetched ? What are the safeguards to that ?
lafd55 said:It seems like a lot of people who are looking at this thread think that when someone has ALPRs they automatically have access to DMV databases.
HILO said:I'm a people that knows the DMV data base is always for sale in most states. In Texas car dealerships, automobile auctions, and wrecker companies, can access the Texas DMV through a private company that sells the subscriptions. The info includes car info, owner name and address, and lien holder. A Public Data account allows one to search a license plate number, and click a link to find other vehicles registered to that address. Lexisnexis, which is a very expensive account to have, has even more detailed info. License plates are public information. Before the interwebs, you could mail a license plate number and $5 to Texas DMV and get vehicle info.