Nct tester taking pictures...

5500

A quick "what would you do" one here

I had my car Nct'd,upon watching it i noticed some discussion between other testers over in the corner,one guy then takes out his phone and walked around the car snapping a couple of sly pics in the reg (this wasnt the guy testing the car btw)

I asked the tester what was the story with someone taking pictures and he said he just loves certain cars.I had to go into the front desk either ways as they made a balls of the cert and complained there,the wench behind the counter asked who took a picture,i pointed the guy out and she walked out then came back in and just said,"he doesnt have your reg" adn went back to my original problem with the cert.

I dunno if im being over paronoid but working in car security i hear alot of stories on how peoples cars are being stolen ect ect and just dont like the idea of someone snapping pictures on the sly when the details of the owner are openly available to them at the click of a button,granted were not talking about a car worth hundreds of thousands but theres not many of them floating about none the less.

Anyways would you esculate this with head office or put it down to paranoia?

spockety

I would follow up higher up the chain.

It's not on.

Worst case scenario, he is keeping an eye out for cars for someone else, and is paid to come up with the goods..e.g. someone slips him a few quid for pics of required cars supplied along side home address of the car etc.

If he likes cars that much he can go to forecourts and take snaps.

Anan1

What's the car?

daRobot

Wouldn't be happy about that either, and would certainly complain about it to someone higher up.

What car is it out of interest?

S.I.R

i take pictures of cars i like, if the drivers around ofcourse you ask permission.



generally if its a pic with the reg i give details of myself so they know im not a car criminal...


this is quite roppy to be honest....


notify the gardi though theres not alot they can do without a pic of the fella

5500

Its an Accord Euro R

fletch

On the flip side...I was in an NCT test centre quite recently and some chap was taking pictures of his car as it went through the NCT. All of a sudden, the tester spotted him and came running over to the window gesturing at him to stop taking pictures

De Hipster

I would NOT be happy at all with the photo taking, especially if your registration was visible.

Firstly; they are sub-contracted by the government, which IMO makes it highly unacceptable & unprofessional.

Secondly; it instantly brings forth thoughts of waiter/bar-person/shop-keep type card skimming stories!

Rash jumped-to conclusion, maybe...but never can be too careful in these times!

Anan1

I must be very innocent - it wouldn't bother me in the slightest! If anything, i'd be maybe a bit flattered.:)

5500

Im even more paronoid becuase i had a customer with the same car whos house was broken into and cars moved to get the very same car,they didnt get very far with the alarm but there seems to be an increase at the minute especially in newer jap imports being stolen and not recovered so im doubting its little joyriding scrotes who are doing it.

I'd be wary myself, he should be doing his job, not taking pictures !

Dirty_Diesel

spockety wrote: »

someone slips him a few quid for pics of required cars supplied along side home address of the car etc.

I wouldn't be surprised if this was the case.
I've heard of a tester up the midlands somewhere that will give ya an nct cert for any car, Just send him €50 and the VLC/Tax book and he makes up the figures and sends back the NCT cert :eek:

JHMEG

Nowhere do you consent to photographs being taken of your car. Demand they be destroyed and demand disciplinary action against those involved. Take it higher if you need to.

5500

I rang up head office today and they were very interested to hear about it,there sending out a complaints form and say i'll have a reply from management within a week of sending it back so we'll see whats what

conor-mr2

Let us know what the outcome is please.

Even the description of the sly nature he was taking the photos is suspect.
If he liked the car and wanted to take a photo he could have asked you.

Tipsy Mac

I would also contact Dept Of Environment or whoever has them under contract here to complain about it.

DonJose

Does your car have nice alloys? There seems to be a spate of alloy thefts recently? Most likely they are stolen to order.

zzzzzzzz

I'm not 100% sure on the laws regarding photography of your property but my educated guess would be that you can't do a thing.

Someone takes a picture of your car, s**t buzz. I'd say take a picture of them taking pictures of your car if you want evidence of them acting suspiciously further down the line...

I know that when you're taking pictures of people, permission is not required unless the person is in a situation or place where they wouldn't expect to be photographed. i.e. if you were walking down grafton street and someone took your picture on a Sunday afternoon there's sweet F.A. you can do about it. Although, if they wanted to use this in an ad or something everyone in the photo would need to sign a model release.

If there was CCTV in the test centre could you demand that they delete the footage because your reg was in it?

ojewriej

It sounds a bit dodgy all right.

Anyway, good thing is that he knows you spotted him, so he probably realises that if something happens to your car, he will be the main suspect. So if he has any cop on, he won't try anything.

Kimbot

Al,

The lad could well be into his cars and was taking a picture of a nice car to show his mates etc, sure you know what the car scene is like these days.

Then again he could be up to no good but knowing that you saw him and know who he is I doubt he will try anything.

ninty9er

eireal wrote: »

A quick "what would you do" one here

I had my car Nct'd,upon watching it i noticed some discussion between other testers over in the corner,one guy then takes out his phone and walked around the car snapping a couple of sly pics in the reg (this wasnt the guy testing the car btw)

I asked the tester what was the story with someone taking pictures and he said he just loves certain cars.I had to go into the front desk either ways as they made a balls of the cert and complained there,the wench behind the counter asked who took a picture,i pointed the guy out and she walked out then came back in and just said,"he doesnt have your reg" adn went back to my original problem with the cert.

I dunno if im being over paronoid but working in car security i hear alot of stories on how peoples cars are being stolen ect ect and just dont like the idea of someone snapping pictures on the sly when the details of the owner are openly available to them at the click of a button,granted were not talking about a car worth hundreds of thousands but theres not many of them floating about none the less.

Anyways would you esculate this with head office or put it down to paranoia?

I'd put it down to paranoia anyways. And like you say; you work in car security;)

niceirishfella

regardless of wheather this lad is into his cars or not, he should get on with his job and not be taking pics.
The money they are on in there - they'll be up to all sorts to boost their income.........I'd chase it up and demand answers and the boot for him.

Vikings

In all fairness, what extra information could he have possibly gained by taking a picture of your car?

He works in the NCT centre, I would assume that they have the majority of your details on file anyway - why would he need a picture? Sounds innocent enough to me.

April Raine

aidan.offbeat wrote: »

If there was CCTV in the test centre could you demand that they delete the footage because your reg was in it?

I think you could apply under Data Protection and would have to be given the shots with your car in or at least if you were yourself in the picture?

OP Let us know the outcome, you were right to go higher up and complain, i would not like that at all

*Tripper*

As Johnny said he could be into his cars however i'd be very weary considering that its a Type-R. Follow this up until you get a definite answer as this shouldn't be happening whilst work is being carried out on it.

alastair

I wouldn't worry about it.
I've an unusual car which tends to draw attention in the test centre - gathering around to look inside, mobile snaps etc. The job's probably pretty boring, and a bit of additional interest in the cars running through isn't the worst thing in the world.

5500

Id have had no problem if he asked to take a picture,it was just the sly way that it happened and the picture of the front was up fairly close ie taking in the reg, it wasnt like he stood back for a nice panoramic shot or made it anyway obvious what he was doing,the only way i saw it was because it was the lane closest to the window and i was right above him.

We'll see what the nct come back with anyways

G Luxel

so this guy likes taking pictures of cars.......and maybe hes one of us so he will probably upload onto the 'here's what I saw today' thread....;)

unkel

What's the big deal? We all drive our cars on the public road with our license plates in full view to all and sundry. If you do not want your car to be seen (or photographed), don't take it out in public...

Tefral

unkel wrote: »

What's the big deal? We all drive our cars on the public road with our license plates in full view to all and sundry. If you do not want your car to be seen (or photographed), don't take it out in public...

different story though...an nct tester has your address right there in front of him on the computer

and i run a modified car website and i know how rare accord euro r's are...hondas are being stolen to order all round the country...

if i were you man, id report it

unkel

cronin_j wrote: »

different story though...an nct tester has your address right there in front of him on the computer

True. That said, any member of the public that doesn't have the address of a car driven on a public road could very easily follow the car home. I don't see the security point about blocking out regs...

cronin_j

cronin_j wrote: »

i Know How Rare Accord Euro R's Are...hondas Are Being Stolen To Order All Round The Country...

If I Were You Man, Id Report It

+ 1

copacetic

Vikings wrote: »

In all fairness, what extra information could he have possibly gained by taking a picture of your car?

He works in the NCT centre, I would assume that they have the majority of your details on file anyway - why would he need a picture? Sounds innocent enough to me.

+ a million, in all the complaining above no-one appears to have any actual possible use for the 'sly' pictures that aren't available to anyone working in the place or seeing the car with a pen handy. calm down and cop on people.

copacetic

cronin_j wrote: »

different story though...an nct tester has your address right there in front of him on the computer

and i run a modified car website and i know how rare accord euro r's are...hondas are being stolen to order all round the country...

if i were you man, id report it

and they need a picture to know which car to steal?
rubbish.

5500

The point of the slyness is that the reg was taken and how easy it is for him to access my details from it.

As mentioned theres alot of rob to order's happening and specific types of cars being targeted,of course it may well be totally innocent but there could also be something more synsiter about it.

kippy

As already mentioned whomever took the picture already had access to your reg,adddress and all other details, taking a pic would have been of NO benefit.
He could have been taking a picture for the "Heres what I saw today" thread for Gods sake......
My aul fella had a red escort (early 80's) that people took pics of all the time.
I suppose you main issue here is that you were in for an NCT and they should be more professional. Did you mention that they guy didnt actually work for them? If he didnt I would possibly question what he was doing there.
Kippy

Tefral

copacetic wrote: »

and they need a picture to know which car to steal?
rubbish.

you have no idea mate... they use any and all information to get cars!

Bearcat

i put my 930 thru the nct recently and only have compliments for the testers. Eastern european lads, knew their stuff and wished me the best.

If they were on the rob, these guys dont need pics. A lot of these guys are talented mechs. waiting for the right job in the right garage. The way fuel is going, garages will be busier in the maintainence dept. with fewer people being able to afford new cars.

Taking photos though would unnerve me.

galwaytt

unkel wrote: »

True. That said, any member of the public that doesn't have the address of a car driven on a public road could very easily follow the car home. I don't see the security point about blocking out regs...

or, you can get the address from Shannon, by paying a small fee iirc.........it's turned into an epidemic for bike theft in UK, where DVLA are sellling names/addresses to anyone with £4(or whatever).....and the garages are then being pinpointed for steal-to-order.

Even my wife takes detours on the way home at night in the 968, utilising all those bhps's dontchaknow - if she thinks she's being followed..........have done it myself, too.......

copacetic

cronin_j wrote: »

you have no idea mate... they use any and all information to get cars!

but the 'sly pic' isn't going to help them, someone could memorise or write down the plate in seconds, the 'sly pic' is meaningless.

Jo King

A sly pic is a very good way of keeping a record. Memorising might not work. He might not have a piece of paper and pen handy and even if he did paper might get lost.
I followed a car which carried out a dangerous move recently and photographed the Reg. Much easier and more reliable than other methods of recording the details.
There is definitely something sinister going on. There is a breach of the Data Protection Act. The car is in there solely for the purpose of the test. Any information supplied may only be used for the purpose for which it was obtained.
An employee should not be gathering data for purposes of his own unconnected with the reason for which the data was available to him.

NiSmO

This post has been deleted.

April Raine

Jo King wrote: »

There is a breach of the Data Protection Act.

Would think so yes, very dicey behaviour,would not like it at all

Esel

Jo King wrote:

There is a breach of the Data Protection Act.

Wouldn't have thought that taking a photo would come under the Data Protection Act!

April Raine

esel wrote: »

Wouldn't have thought that taking a photo would come under the Data Protection Act!

Actually you are probably right as he would not be covered. It is only the centre CCTV that would be covered under Data Protection. Since he took the pic with his camera it would hardly be covered.

copacetic

esel wrote: »

Wouldn't have thought that taking a photo would come under the Data Protection Act!

it wouldn't, but we shouldn't let that stop the hysteria..

kippy

I'll bring up the point again.
People take pics of cars all the time, with the plates even. See here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055150571&highlight=heres+what+i+saw+today
Bringing up mention of Data protection and rights being infringed in this case is a bit daft.
I'd say if the poster was driving some aul banger this would be a non issue and it wouldnt have been posted here. No one would ever be aloud photgraph a car again.
As already mentioned this guy already had access to every single detail about the car when he was in the center, if he was planning anything nafarious he had no real reason to photograph the car.
Kippy

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Totally agree with Kippy, he had the reg, VIN number, your address etc on the computer already. Why would he need a photo. More likely he liked the car and wanted a snap, maybe he liked a mod and wanted to find one similar. Either way, I think the agro is a bit OTT. I can go around housing estates and take pics of cars there infront of their owners houses (does this remind your of a certain R8 discussion???) and nobody would be bothered.

Blazer

Brooklyn Freezing Stew wrote: »

Totally agree with Kippy, he had the reg, VIN number, your address etc on the computer already. Why would he need a photo. More likely he liked the car and wanted a snap, maybe he liked a mod and wanted to find one similar. Either way, I think the agro is a bit OTT. I can go around housing estates and take pics of cars there infront of their owners houses (does this remind your of a certain R8 discussion???) and nobody would be bothered.

Wanna bet?
Guaranteed someone will take exception to what you're doing and demand you stop..if you're lucky
The op is well within his rights to complain about this..true the guy could be a harmless car fan but then again maybe he's taking these pics and showing them to potential future owners..the fact that it's a rare car makes me instantly suspicious.

kippy

Mathew Reilly wrote: »

Wanna bet?
Guaranteed someone will take exception to what you're doing and demand you stop..if you're lucky
The op is well within his rights to complain about this..true the guy could be a harmless car fan but then again maybe he's taking these pics and showing them to potential future owners..the fact that it's a rare car makes me instantly suspicious.

Does the fact that it's a rare car make it even more obvious that this guy could be a car fan.
There are a couple of hundred pics in the thread I linked to, a lot with plates. I dont think there's anything untoward about any of them....
Surely the guy could find a pic of the exact same car on the net (even in that thread) and show it to potential "buyers" if he was intending of stealing it anyway?
A fuss about nothing in my opinion but I would raise a complaint as to why there was a guy in the garage who didnt actually work there taking pics of cars either way, as it isnt exactly a professional trait to be showing.
Kippy

btkm8unsl0w5r4

I suppose you could think the worst, but so many other people have all your details it would drive you mad with paranoia. I am sure the guy in the NCT center see all kinds of really exotic and expensive machines all the time, the only reason I can think why he would take a pic is because he is an enthusast.

Maybe we shoudl complain about speed camera operatirs, they have a photo, reg and address too. All guards have these datails, traffic CCTV operators, Multistory car park attendants (these guys sometimes have your credit card details too!!), Car sales men (these guys will have loads of pictures), anyone in motor the motor tax office, Mechanics, car detailers, car wash attendants, insurance compay employees,

Look at the number of pictures on the here what I saw today thread, other road users snapping pics of your car, they could know where your park all the time, where your works etc. IMHO if you got your blood pressure up for every instance where somebody had details about your life, car, money etc. you would die young.