DMV info

[Maddevill]

Not exactly motorcycle related.
So, over a year ago, a handyman we hired to do our bathroom disappeared with $2000. The guy was old, we tried to find him with no luck. He wasn't answering his phone, etc. Rumors he was in a VA hospital in Sac.
Fast forward to today, my wife thinks she sees him near where our house is. She got a picture of the personalized plate on his vehicle. He's in a band and the plate kind of confirms that it could be him.
Question: Is there a way to use the plate number to see who the registered owner of the vehicle is? We asked our son in law who is a Las Vegas cop but he said he'd have to have an explanation for why he's checking.

TIA

Mad

 

[byke]

I have no idea if it's true, but I've heard that name/address via license plate is considered public information and you can go down there and fill out a form or whatever and get it. They're still open, just give them a call.

 

[auntiebling]

I have no idea if it's true, but I've heard that name/address via license plate is considered public information and you can go down there and fill out a form or whatever and get it. They're still open, just give them a call.

no. this isn't public information. you can get a name associated with a VIN through a DMV "associated records search" or something like that but you'd have to lie on the form as to your reason for asking. i was going to use it to find the registered owner on an "out of the system, no backfees" cheap bike but ended up not needing to.

address is specifically guarded info due to a high profile stalker/murder celebrity case in the 90s. creep found the girl through DMV requests.

what you're asking is super no-no and i'm surprised your cop buddy wasn't more blunt about it.

if you know the name of the band, try going to a show and ambushing him there.


or just let it go.

edit: Rebecca Schaeffer

 

[Johndicezx9]

I have no idea if it's true, but I've heard that name/address via license plate is considered public information and you can go down there and fill out a form or whatever and get it. They're still open, just give them a call.

That changed after Robert Bardo found Rebecca Scheaffer’s home address thru the DMV.

 

[Johndicezx9]

Not exactly motorcycle related.
So, over a year ago, a handyman we hired to do our bathroom disappeared with $2000. The guy was old, we tried to find him with no luck. He wasn't answering his phone, etc. Rumors he was in a VA hospital in Sac.
Fast forward to today, my wife thinks she sees him near where our house is. She got a picture of the personalized plate on his vehicle. He's in a band and the plate kind of confirms that it could be him.
Question: Is there a way to use the plate number to see who the registered owner of the vehicle is? We asked our son in law who is a Las Vegas cop but he said he'd have to have an explanation for why he's checking.

TIA

Mad

Why don’t you look up the band, usually they have a website, with a schedule... can’t stop you from showing up to a public place. At least you confirm if it’s him, or least have a nice evening out with the Mrs.

 

[Eldritch]

Why don’t you look up the band, usually they have a website, with a schedule... can’t stop you from showing up to a public place. At least you confirm if it’s him, or least have a nice evening out with the Mrs.

Yeah, if you wanted to TCOB on someone, members of Small Bands are seriously some of the easiest there are.

They have all the published accessibility of a celebrity without any of the celebrity security.

 

[Johndicezx9]

Said he was an old guy, in a band... could probably hand him a summons during “Sweet Home Alabama”, every old guy band I’ve ever seen plays it....

 

[aminalmutha]

You hired a guy without a contractor's license?

 

[aminalmutha]

Said he was an old guy, in a band... could probably hand him a summons during “Sweet Home Alabama”, every old guy band I’ve ever seen plays it....

If that doesn't work, try Simple Man. I don't recommend bringing out the big guns, but if all else fails... Free Bird. :afm199

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

You hired a guy without a contractor's license?

Just curious how do you guys hire a guy with a contractor's license--do you check at the door and no entry otherwise?

 

[aminalmutha]

Well, if you hire someone to do work on your house, there should be a contract for the work to be done, which includes their name, business name, license number, etc, etc. Contract stated a breakdown of labor and materials and the cost of everything. No guesswork, no money exchanged until contracts signed, etc.

Everyone I ever had do work on my house had that, along with ID and a truck with the business name and license number on it. Was never a mystery on how to find the person.

 

[Maddevill]

I don't know the name of the band. I know he used to play at some of the VA centers etc. And, yes, we hired him to start some jobs. We limited him to a single thing, pending on how he did. He came highly recommended from our home insurance agent. He had already done some other smaller things and did well. We've already resigned ourselves that the money is gone. Just surprised he showed up in our town of 1000. I don't like seeing people just get away with theft and fraud with no consequences.

Mad

 

[bergmen]

Well, if you hire someone to do work on your house, there should be a contract for the work to be done, which includes their name, business name, license number, etc, etc. Contract stated a breakdown of labor and materials and the cost of everything. No guesswork, no money exchanged until contracts signed, etc.

Everyone I ever had do work on my house had that, along with ID and a truck with the business name and license number on it. Was never a mystery on how to find the person.

Also, we agree on an estimated price and pay on completion of the job. Never before.

Dan

 

[Map8]

Just curious how do you guys hire a guy with a contractor's license--do you check at the door and no entry otherwise?

Ask the contractor for their state contractor license number. The state of CA provides a website were you can check the status of a contractor's license and the history of any liens or actions that may have been filed against that contractor. You can also check the status of the contractors bond or insurance which is really important.

https://www.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx




edited to add bond/insurance info.

 

[aminalmutha]

Also, we agree on an estimated price and pay on completion of the job. Never before.

Dan

I had some dude come to quote concrete work. He literally asked for a blank check, no contracts; "It'll be about $XXXX". I told him to get the fuck out of my face and never come back.

Had a legit dude to it and told him about it and he said he knew the guy. Dude runs around with a contractor's license # on the side of his truck that has been cancelled/revoked/whatever. Dude moves all over Nor Cal doing shoddy work, apparently.



Anyways, hope you can find the dude. Just don't really understand how it could really be a big mystery.

 

[Johndicezx9]

What’s the limit for “handyman”, $450 per day?

 

[Johndicezx9]

If that doesn't work, try Simple Man. I don't recommend bringing out the big guns, but if all else fails... Free Bird. :afm199

<= 2 birds, no charge! :laughing

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

Well, if you hire someone to do work on your house, there should be a contract for the work to be done, which includes their name, business name, license number, etc, etc. Contract stated a breakdown of labor and materials and the cost of everything. No guesswork, no money exchanged until contracts signed, etc.

Everyone I ever had do work on my house had that, along with ID and a truck with the business name and license number on it. Was never a mystery on how to find the person.

Ask the contractor for their state contractor license number. The state of CA provides a website were you can check the status of a contractor's license and the history of any liens or actions that may have been filed against that contractor. You can also check the status of the contractors bond or insurance which is really important.

https://www.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx




edited to add bond/insurance info.

okay thanks.
checked one guy ... with a white van, nothing written, but he left a business card if we need work. License is written the card(not van). Yep, checks out on the above website actually. :thumbup

---

but let's not keed ourselves. you know how everyone (well, many) run around asking/giving work without licenses yeah?

esp. for handymen. What are lone people gonna do, ask for the 200 or 400 jobs to repair furnace, faucets, electrics, etc, going to ask for a license?

 

[aminalmutha]

I would think that even for a few hunnert, there would be some sort of contract. I mean, how else is the handyman/contractor supposed to account for his own work? It's a CYA thing on his part, too, I would think.

Sounds like OP exchanged multiple thousands of dollars. For sure there should be a contract.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

On a related note: the IRS says any job over $600 should have a 1099 generated and sent to the contractor - does anybody really do that?