Bikeregister and immobilise

[jefmcg]

https://www.bikeregister.com
https://www.immobilise.com

These are sites where you can record your bikes details (and other valuables on immobilise) to help you recover it when stolen. They are both used by various police forces.

Recording your frame number and keeping proof of purchase is valuable. I guess the advantages these sites have over writing it on a piece of paper is you can't lose it. Even if you forget your password, and can't recover it, the site still has your frame number against your name and address. And it's very simple data that the police can access if you are ever challenged that your bike is stolen.

The downsides?

I wouldn't give details of my bikes to the likes of BikeRegister or Immobilie unless they get stolen. No point advertising what I've got.

The one problem I have with online sites where you register your details, is that they are there for all to see. Right down to the frame number.

I am registered with both, and I can't see how it advertises what I have got. bikeregister only allows search by marked number or frame number, and just returns status, but not personal invitation. I can't even see how to check if an item is stolen on immobilise. Is function that police only?

If my security is being compromised by these sites, I'd very much like to know.

thanks

 

[classic33]

Check the sticky out in Stolen Bikes for the one I meant in the quote above.

Everything needed was, at the time, on show.

 

[mjr]

https://www.grahamcluley.com/2015/01/immobilise-national-property-register-data/

They've done it before and will probably do it again. Keeping details secret is a cost to be minimised, as far as these commercial sites are concerned. The penalty immobilise has suffered for its failure is laughably small, the police are still recommending them and the mugs are still queueing up to hand over their valuable personal data.

Usual rule of thumb should apply: don't upload anything to the Internet unless you're OK with it potentially being published.