VIN: Dangers?

[PeteA216]

I noticed that a recent thread was closed due to terms of use violations. In the thread it was mentioned that posting your VIN in an open forum is a bad idea, and I quote Blue Bowtie:

Furthermore, and as a general rule, you should NEVER post your VIN in an open forum. People with less than honorable intentions can use it for all sorts of things you might not want them to. I can probably find your name, SSN, drivers license number and address from the VIN.

I'm cuious, if a VIN can be that dangerous then why are all VINs clearly exposed on all motor vehicles? If someone wanted a VIN for devious purposes, couldn't he/she simply go to a mall parking lot, find a car of choice and take them number that way? Or even go on eBay. Almost all the cars sold there have the VIN clearly displayed in a preset text box eBay has specifically for the VIN. EXAMPLE Here at A/F is the first place I've ever heard of the VIN being such a dangerous thing to give out.

[bobss396]

I'd never give out my VIN on an open forum. Who has to know it, why give out too much personal information? Agreed that there are too many dishonest people out there so why give them the edge, however small it may seem.

[CD Smalley]

I worked with a guy in KS who had is truck stolen, both physcially and by title. One day he left work and the truck was gone. He reported it naturally. One day it turns up in TX. The guuy had gotten his VIN, somehow, and filed for a replacement title in KS. He got it and then after taking the truck, tried to register it in TX. That's when he got caught.

So if this guy managed to do it w/o posting it on the internet, I can understand why it is against site rules to post a VIN.

[PeteA216]

Well there you have it... I guess that example right there answers my question clear as day.

[CD Smalley]

I had never heard of such a thing myself. But it just shows how easy it is to do. I'm sure wel all know not to give out our SSNs. But I hadn't really thought about VINs until this happened.