My Car Registration Was Stolen. Should I Be Worried? What information can he take from them?
I acciedently left my car unlocked, and it was searched by trespassers in the night. They only took the registration and insurance card (Ohio, United States). This seems strange to me, as these things aren't really useful to anyone, except possible for the personal info they contain, although I don't think it's enough information to take over online accounts or to impersonate me in person. Strangely, they didn't take low stakes items like change, or high value items like a dash cam and expensive sunglasses, or even the actual plates, which would have been useful along with the registration.
What should I be worried about as a result of this info leak?
You asked, “My Car Registration Was Stolen. Should I Be Worried?”
It's hard to give an exhaustive list, but in the end, I don't think that's really the important question to ask - really, the important question is, what should you do now to protect yourself?
Reach out to the DMV and your insurer. Your state's DMV will have a process on how to replace stolen registration documents. The risk of not reporting them as stolen is that the thief may try to impersonate you with respect to your motor vehicle ownership (i.e. they may try to create an online account with the state DMV, or take over your existing account. Or they may try to get replacement plates and impersonate your vehicle, etc).
- Ask the major credit bureaus to lock your credit report. This will mean a minor hassle for you if you try to apply for credit any time soon, but it can help protect you from identity theft. The thieves now have your name and address and details about a vehicle you own - while that by itself isn't very powerful information, it may form a piece in a larger puzzle - taking steps to protect your identity can help prevent that.
My Car Registration Was Stolen. Should I Be Worried? - common reasons for registration theft
- Obtaining the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Gaining access to your VIN may help thieves register illegal vehicles. They could also file claims on totaled cars or even create duplicate car keys. There have even been instances where individuals use a stolen car registration to walk into a dealership and drive off with a brand-new vehicle.
- They're preparing for a break-in. Your car registration contains vital information, including your home address. Depending on what the thieves find in your car, they may target additional valuables kept at your residence. Although this specific scenario is less likely to occur, be sure to take extra security precautions in the days, weeks, and months following a vehicle theft or burglary.
Answer (1)
If your car registration has been stolen, it's important to take immediate action to protect yourself from potential identity theft or misuse of the stolen information. Here are some steps you can take:
Report the Theft: Contact your local law enforcement agency and report the theft of your car registration. They can document the incident and provide you with a report, which may be useful for identity theft prevention purposes.
Monitor Your Credit: Keep an eye on your credit reports and financial accounts for any suspicious activity. You can use credit monitoring services or request free credit reports from the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to check for any unauthorized transactions or new accounts opened in your name.
Notify Relevant Authorities: If your driver's license or any other identification documents were also stolen along with your car registration, notify the appropriate authorities, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or your country's equivalent agency, to report the theft and request replacements.
Replace Your Car Registration: Contact your local DMV or relevant vehicle registration authority to report the theft and request a replacement car registration. This will invalidate the stolen document and prevent it from being used fraudulently.
Be Vigilant: Stay vigilant for any signs of identity theft or fraudulent activity, such as receiving unexpected bills or notices, unauthorized transactions on your accounts, or denial of credit for no apparent reason.
As for the information that can be taken from a stolen car registration, it typically includes:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your vehicle's make, model, and year
- Your vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Your license plate number
While this information alone may not be sufficient for identity theft, it could potentially be used in combination with other stolen or publicly available information to commit fraud or impersonation. That's why it's crucial to take the aforementioned steps to protect yourself and mitigate the risk of identity theft.