These Are the Unusual Rules People in the Witness Protection Program Must Obey

A witness may be ready to change names and move far away, yet something as ordinary as a car can still expose them. Every vehicle carries a unique identification number that can be traced through registrations, repairs, insurance records, and other paperwork tied to its owner.

Gerald Shur, who helped create the federal program, explained that some participants could not bring their old vehicles. A familiar car might also be recognized by someone searching for them. After losing their home and identity, witnesses may discover that even the family car cannot follow.