Phone number on car keys..?

eDicky

My daughter has asked me whether it's s good idea or not, to put her mobile phone number with her car key in case she loses it. She would not include her address, or reveal it to a finder, and she does have a second key.

I think I have done this in the past, but currently don't. It seems ok to me but thought it worth checking here what others' opinions are, possible drawbacks etc..?

DE_612183

I guess if someone finds the keys and can use something like "find my iPhone" to ascertain an address that would be not good - but I'm not sure if they could use that without sending some sort of request via messenger / contacts.

It also maybe possible to find an address from a mobile is there is any documentation out there - I put my mobile number into google and it came up with no results...

Herzlos

It's more likely to be used for good than harm. If she loses her keys and someone phones then she can always arrange to meet them at a public place or a police station or something.

It could save hours of asking around

Shedman

If she is concerned about having her own mobile number on a key tag there are paid services that give a tag with an identifying code and a number to call.  Not used one myself but came across this one when I was looking for my stepdaughter.  She didnt take it up in the end so no feedback I'm afraid.
https://keyangel.co.uk/plans/homes/

Bigphil1474

My dad used to put his name, address and phone number on his car keys. Eventually persuaded him to change it to just his first name and a phone number. No harm in that IMO.

user1977

DE_612183 said:

I guess if someone finds the keys and can use something like "find my iPhone" to ascertain an address that would be not good - but I'm not sure if they could use that without sending some sort of request via messenger / contacts.

The risk being that somebody figures out her home address, finds the car there and helps themselves to it? I would have thought a key loss more likely to occur when the car is away from home?

In any event, I've never heard of a likely way of figuring out a home address from a mobile number, unless you've chosen to put it out there a la Boris. My own number (in use since the last millennium!) gives precisely zero Google hits.

DullGreyGuy

DE_612183 said:

I guess if someone finds the keys and can use something like "find my iPhone" to ascertain an address that would be not good - but I'm not sure if they could use that without sending some sort of request via messenger / contacts.

It also maybe possible to find an address from a mobile is there is any documentation out there - I put my mobile number into google and it came up with no results...

Do you really think that you can randomly type a phone number into FindMyPhone and it will tell you where in the world it is? Unsurprisingly you have to request that the number shares their location with you. Irrespective of if putting your phone number on keys or not you shouldn't be accepting random/unsolicited requests to share your location with strangers. 

If the mobile number is out there with your address, eg if you are self employed and advertise services online, then someone could google it but then it comes down to questions of where you keep the car, what other keys are on there etc.

Arguably a safer option is to have something like an Apple AirTag on the keys... for a start you'll likely be able to see where they are given just over 50% of mobiles are Apple and all of them will report the location of an AirTag thats in range and secondly anyone with a phone (apple or otherwise) with NFC can tap the token and send you a message 

That said, the risks are minimal and the average person that finds them are not going to want to steal your car or stalk you. The only risk I can see is if you are the sort of person that takes their keys out their pocket and leaves it on a table that some random may like the look of you and spot the phone number. Imagine it's less common with women with handbags though. 

Mildly_Miffed

How do you think an address can be obtained from a mobile number by Joe Public?

facade

I have my name & 'phone number on my key fobs, although I wouldn't bother with the name now I'm retired, it was useful when I was working as I did put my keys down a couple of times in 30 years and they came straight back to me.

The Dog has my mobile number on her identity tag so if she makes a break for it, hopefully someone finds her and 'phones me rather than taking her somewhere that charges a massive release fee.

DE_612183

DullGreyGuy said:

DE_612183 said:

I guess if someone finds the keys and can use something like "find my iPhone" to ascertain an address that would be not good - but I'm not sure if they could use that without sending some sort of request via messenger / contacts.

It also maybe possible to find an address from a mobile is there is any documentation out there - I put my mobile number into google and it came up with no results...

Do you really think that you can randomly type a phone number into FindMyPhone and it will tell you where in the world it is? Unsurprisingly you have to request that the number shares their location with you. Irrespective of if putting your phone number on keys or not you shouldn't be accepting random/unsolicited requests to share your location with strangers. 

If the mobile number is out there with your address, eg if you are self employed and advertise services online, then someone could google it but then it comes down to questions of where you keep the car, what other keys are on there etc.

Arguably a safer option is to have something like an Apple AirTag on the keys... for a start you'll likely be able to see where they are given just over 50% of mobiles are Apple and all of them will report the location of an AirTag thats in range and secondly anyone with a phone (apple or otherwise) with NFC can tap the token and send you a message 

That said, the risks are minimal and the average person that finds them are not going to want to steal your car or stalk you. The only risk I can see is if you are the sort of person that takes their keys out their pocket and leaves it on a table that some random may like the look of you and spot the phone number. Imagine it's less common with women with handbags though. 

No, I didn't think you can randomly key a number in - I said as much in my post. 

prowla

Mildly_Miffed said:

How do you think an address can be obtained from a mobile number by Joe Public?

Download address & phone details and do a lookup?