# Is the website "reverserecords.org" for real? Legal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 20, 2006, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-website-reverserecords-org-for-real-legal/353471 "2006-04-20T15:04:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-website-reverserecords-org-for-real-legal/353471/1 "2006-04-20T15:04:44Z")
I was surfing around and came upon [reverserecords.org](http://reverserecords.org). It says that (once you register) that you can, among other things, use the site to find the name and address of the person associated with a license plate number? Is this true? Legal? I thought that information was protected by the state. It seems that it would be dangerous info to make available to the public, no? Stalkers, crazed road-ragers, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-website-reverserecords-org-for-real-legal/353471/2 "2006-04-20T16:00:44Z")
[QUOTE=magellan01] I was surfing around and came upon [reverserecords.org](http://reverserecords.org). It says that (once you register) that you can, among other things, use the site to find the name and address of the person associated with a license plate number? [/QUOTE] Does the registration include _you_ giving your license plate number? If so, it could be taken as a _voluntary_ offering of information, in which you waive your right to privacy. I mean, you _voluntarily_ give your e-mail address to the SDMB to be contacted, and voluntarily click that “allow me to be contacted by e-mail” box. The website sounds just a little more advanced than that. Tripler Just curious. . . ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-website-reverserecords-org-for-real-legal/353471/3 "2006-04-20T16:02:35Z")
[QUOTE=magellan01] I was surfing around and came upon [reverserecords.org](http://reverserecords.org). It says that (once you register) that you can, among other things, use the site to find the name and address of the person associated with a license plate number? [/QUOTE] Does the registration include _you_ giving your license plate number? If so, it could be taken as a _voluntary_ offering of information, in which you waive your right to privacy (depending on how much you volunteer). I mean, you _voluntarily_ give your e-mail address to the SDMB to be contacted, and voluntarily click that “allow me to be contacted by e-mail” box. The website sounds just a little more advanced than that. Tripler Just curious. . . ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-website-reverserecords-org-for-real-legal/353471/4 "2006-04-20T16:05:11Z")
:mad: Damn double posts! [hijack] When I click “submit”, I get an error message: “Page Cannot be Found”. Thus, I have to back up, retype my message (or paste it after I’ve cut it in the message window), and try again. I hate my ISP! :smack: [/hijack] Tripler You may now return to your previously scheduled programming. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2006, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-website-reverserecords-org-for-real-legal/353471/5 "2006-04-20T17:28:59Z")
Looks like your standard “web detective” site, albeit with less categories of data advertised. There are databases with email, license plates and cell phone numbers linked to people. The collection industry is famous for using these to find “private” phone numbers… your mail order catalog may have swiped the phone number from you via AIN (800# Caller ID) when you called in to them and resold it. These databases may not be FULLY populated with ALL addresses, plates and numbers, but there are private companies that ask for this data and may sell this data. In short: you can run the queries, and for SOME searches you’ll get hits, but you’ll likely be upset with the number of times you won’t get hits, if you’re expected 99% accuracy and availability.