Heard that if you have a 2006-2007 silverado with onstar and u install a custom tune or programmer that onstar can run a diagnostic on your vehicle and can read the program... when they do they attomatically throw a warrenty block on your vehicle so when u go to your dealer for any repair your done! anyone else heard of this....

"Heard" from where? I don't doubt it. Big Brother is getting very nosey these days!:(

heard it from a friend who works for a GMC dealer who had a truck come in that was BLOCKED for that reason, might only be if u call onstar to see what the problem is with your vehicle like if u have a check light and call onstar to see what it is then A. your not to smart and B. ur screwed!

If it is true (wouldn't surprise me any) couldn't you just not subscribe to onstar?

Right if u dont have onstar your fine but if you do not good something to be aware of...

So then all you running programmers out ther have more reason to get the EDGE juice/attitude. It won't show up as a programmer because its not one :)

Heard that if you have a 2006-2007 silverado with onstar and u install a custom tune or programmer that onstar can run a diagnostic on your vehicle and can read the program... when they do they attomatically throw a warrenty block on your vehicle so when u go to your dealer for any repair your done! anyone else heard of this....I totally heard this same thing a while back.... pretty scary shiznit....

Do a search this has been discussed it is not possible for OS to tell if you have a tuner.

Now four reasons to order a truck without Onstar - extra wasted $900, extra monthly fees after a year, doesn't work in many areas, and now they can read your engine from the sky to void warranty. Next they will be putting a sensor in the seat to tell when you fart to cite you for emitting toxic gasses and contributing to the greenhouse effect.

See...Now that is no good! I enjoy my Onstar especially my Sat Phone. I was about to pull the trigger on a Diablo Sport and MBRP T304. I guess I will hold off a bit. I sent Predator a note and asked this very question. I will post when and if they respond.

I do remember awhile back reading about how the FEDs got a warrent to listen in on a mob's boss converstaion in caddy...had onstar and were able to listen in and convit him of his crimes, no bs!!!
If onstar can detect when airbags deploy, unlock doors, help you get directions....... why can't they tell when there is something wrong with the engine, that would be a added benfit to the NORMAL/ NON-tunning customer and a great selling point, but the the 10% market that fuels this 2 billion dollar plus aftermarket industry, hit will piss us off... heck the corvettes even got these little black box (under driver seat) that rats on the driver. Tells the dealership tech just how fast, rpm's, bs bs bs....

So I FEEL On-Star is a :badidea: and thats why I bought one without it!

Now four reasons not to get OnStar.......Next they will be putting a sensor in the seat to tell when you fart to cite you for emitting toxic gasses and contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Hey, how did you find out about the fourth one? The EPA was trying to keep that one quiet. :eek: But then again some farts are anything but quiet..-:t

Do a search this has been discussed it is not possible for OS to tell if you have a tuner.

:exactly: OnStar has no idea, believe me. Truthfully, it takes some searching even with a Tech II to find a program alteration.

I cannot believe the paranoia that OnStar has created in people. Everyone thinks that having GPS means they are watching you. Yeah, there are millions of vehicles that are OS equipped, and they are watching to see where YOU are going. Riiiiiiiiight!

Guys, OnStar DOES NOT have the capability to tell if you've added a programmer or not, it CANT "Block" a vehicle for warranty issues, etc etc... You guys are listening to too much media and rumor starters. Go do some study on OBD III computer systems and do an internet search to find all the articles and discussions that took place about this very issue in just about every major auto and truck magazine out there. This stuff just ISNT true. BTW- OnStar has bailed me out of a bind on numerous occations and is money well spent. I've been using them for 5 years now and will continue to do so.

:exactly: OnStar has no idea, believe me. Truthfully, it takes some searching even with a Tech II to find a program alteration.

I cannot believe the paranoia that OnStar has created in people. Everyone thinks that having GPS means they are watching you. Yeah, there are millions of vehicles that are OS equipped, and they are watching to see where YOU are going. Riiiiiiiiight!


:exactly:

IMHO I think that onstar cannot read the computers as much as we think. When my CEL came on due to my Mass Air Flow issue (simple issue), I called onstar in my truck. I asked them to run a diagnostic so they did while I was driving down the road. Onstar indicated they could only monitor 3-4 items and one of them was not my simple Mass Air Flow CEL. In other words the diagnostic Onstar ran did not tell me anything.

I get an email from Onstar once a month when they run a diagnostic. On of the criteria is this. And I quote:

"Air Induction System
Your engine uses fuel and air to create the power to drive the vehicle. To make your vehicle run at peak efficiency, several sensors send information to the engine computer about the air that is flowing into the engine. When you start your vehicle, the diagnostic system runs a check on the sensors, and continues to monitor these sensors to ensure your engine is operating normally. In the event that one of the sensors detects a problem, the engine computer can turn on the Check Engine/Service Engine Soon light. That information can also be sent to your OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics check to alert you that service is needed."

Per above, Onstar could not tell me anything about my air induction system. I think they can tell me my mileage and my oil % with maybe a few other insignificant items.

I do remember awhile back reading about how the FEDs got a warrent to listen in on a mob's boss converstaion in caddy...had onstar and were able to listen in and convit him of his crimes, no bs!!!
If onstar can detect when airbags deploy, unlock doors, help you get directions....... why can't they tell when there is something wrong with the engine, that would be a added benfit to the NORMAL/ NON-tunning customer and a great selling point, but the the 10% market that fuels this 2 billion dollar plus aftermarket industry, hit will piss us off... heck the corvettes even got these little black box (under driver seat) that rats on the driver. Tells the dealership tech just how fast, rpm's, bs bs bs....

So I FEEL On-Star is a :badidea: and thats why I bought one without it!


That story is hog wash. BTW- OnStar DOES know when there is any engine problem and lets the customer know. No, Corvettes dont tell on their owner when taken to the dealer. If there were so my dealer would have **** his pants looking at mine.

Wow and I thought I was paranoid. I have Onstar - it came with the truck I would not have ordered it - for me it is a waist of money. But I must be really important \ if GM really wants to track me and listen in on my dumba$$ conversations. And to have software sophisticated enough to detect a program change and recognize it and sent it back to the mother ship is ludicrious. GM would spend thier money better in research and develpment to build a better truck than try to catch people trying to make the truck better! JMHO.:idea:

:rant:

You guys can believe what you want.. On Star to me is a complete and utter waste... Can't help you worth sh-t unless your in a big city... Up north they couldn't do anything for me.. Couldn't read codes out of the 06 computers as of yet back in Dec Jan time frame... They were getting an upgrade to read the 06 computer systems.

I also do think that GM has the ablity to look into the computer more than you want to know.. Do they I have no clue... But I will be pulling my ON Junk before I tweak anything on my truck...

The order books are posted now (see new vehicle thread) for the 2007 GMT900 Silverado & Sierra, and I see they've made OnStar standard on every trim level, even the Work Truck.

The "UE0 OnStar Delete" option requires a fleet order type.

They also made air conditioning optional on the Work Truck trim level, perhaps to try to compensate for the built-in cost of the standard OnStar.

The 2007 Silverado Classic (GMT800) still shows OnStar as a $695 option (UE1). However, they now show a speedo cal option that I've never seen before.

SPEEDOMETER CALIBRATION, MAX SPEED 93MPH
Seo - 93 mph speed calibration (5M4) - - - $31.00

Does anyone know the meaning or reason for this option?

But I was referring to the 2007 GMT900 Silverado & Sierra. Links:
http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/proddesc.jsp?year=2007&regionID=1&divisionID=1&type=0&vehicleID=4212&section=modelhome&page=&butID=1

http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/proddesc.jsp?year=2007&butID=1&regionID=1&divisionID=2&vehicleID=4175&type=0

From page 2 & page 30:

But I was referring to the 2007 GMT900 Silverado & Sierra. Yeah, I know! I was just adding info about the Classic trucks.

Making OnStar a mandatory option will keep me from buying any vehicle with it. I don't want it; I don't want to pay for it; and I don't want anyone to be able to check up on me.

Trust me, Onstar can access a lot more that anyone here has given them credit for and the government is already negotiating for more.-:t

Plus, any of the so called features that they offer to the general public, including hands-free cell phone, I can get from my GPS, my Cell Phone and my Code Reader. They all cost me less than the price for OnStar and I don't have to pay an on-going monthly subscription fee.

AND, minutes on my Cell Phone are a lot cheaper that minutes through OnStar and I can take my cell phone with me when I leave the truck.

The one that truly benefits from installing OnStar in every vehicle is GM. GM is already looking at marketing oportunities available to them by being able to track every OnStar vehicle on the road. The possibilities are endless!

oh god do I have to go on my rant again?

THEY ARE TRYING TO SCARE ALL YOU GUYS.

AS FAR AS TALKING TO THE ECM, ONSTAR IS NOTHING MORE THAN A GLORIFIED SCANTOOL THAT YOU CAN BUY FOR 70 BUCKS AT AUTOZONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rant: :rant: :rant:

It cant read when the PCM data was last reset, it cant read any checksum's in the ECM code, and it would be a monkey's uncle if it had the slightest clue what operating system your ECM was running. It can request generec DTC's and THAT IS IT!!!!!

dont beleive me? Ask Nassdmax, he knows anything and everything about the OnStar VCIM because it is part of the safety and restaint systems of the trucks.

If it is true (wouldn't surprise me any) couldn't you just not subscribe to onstar?

I don't thik it matters wether you subscribe or not, they can still track you.

I don't thik it matters wether you subscribe or not, they can still track you.

if they could track you dont you think they would of located my truck
i unpluged my onstarfuse from day 2

if they could track you dont you think they would of located my truck
i unpluged my onstarfuse from day 2

Hey,

You can actually unplug it? It is on a dedicated fuse? ( by itself ? ) I don't agree on it being standard because alot of people will not have it past the first free year. So having something there that is not being used is pointless.

Now, if Onstar has the ability to tell if the truck has programmers on it, well it will save GM tons of money. I am not against anyone modding their truck, because it is your truck, but when someone blows their truck up or does some serious damage to their tranny because of abuse caused by programmers, then why should GM be expected to pay for it? If ONstar can actually do this, then It could be a peace of mind for anyone looking for a used DMAX!! JMO.

jeeeze-you guys are paranoid.....onstar is cheap insurance,nothing more,no other car co. offers it and that is why I own GM,the best and the biggest-JMO-michael

and BTW,our trucks have the "little black boxes" also,not just the corvettes-do some research-:rolleyes:

every vehicle that has an SIR/SRS/airbag system has a "black box". Its called an SDM; sensing diagnostic module. After a deployment event is commanded, it logs the data of the crash.

It wont be long now till you will recieve a ticket in the mail because the black box noticed that you were speeding............

It won't be long now till you will receive a ticket in the mail because the black box noticed that you were speeding............
That's the plan for the mandatory system equivalent to OnStar that's being phased in in Europe over the next several years.

That will certainly be easier than putting a hundred thousand cameras on every road & intersection like they have already done in Britain. The unified U.K. traffic camera system went operational this June. Not too long ago, websites like Drudge had a picture taken by one of these cameras of a woman not wearing a seat belt. It was a very expensive fine, too.

Once OnStar is universally standard, how easy would it be to integrate it into the vehicle's ECM in such a way that it could not be disabled separately by pulling a fuse?

Anyone who assesses the future capabilities of OnStar-type systems based on what they know about the previous or current generation is being foolishly short-sighted.

:exactly:

If OnStar can tell if the air bags have been deployed, that means it can read the SDM data. By the way, the SDM records the data all the time while the vehicle is being driven. (I believe it stores approx. 30 to 60 seconds of information prior to a crash.) It feezes that data if an accident occurs. There is no other way for it to be able to go back in time and capture the data after the accident occured. Anyone with the right scanning tool can read the SDM. Several municipalities and insurance companies already are using them for accident investigations.

OnStar can do A LOT MORE that just read diagnostic trouble codes. Just because the OnStar operator tells you they can't read something, doesn't mean that the system cannot read it. They just haven't turned it on for their operators to see.

Anyone with the right scanning tool can read the SDM. Several municipalities and insurance companies already are using them for accident investigations.
And legal battles have been waged over who can access the data contained in a part of the vehicle the owner thought he owned in its entirety.

so I guess OnStar has a high speed data link that can transmit your speed, heading, location, heart rate, what you ate for lunch, and other important info in real time right? And GM has hundreds of thousands of people tracking each different car?

seriously, someone prove it to me with facts other than ones intuition or "gut feeling" that OnStar can read crap like whether your truck has been tuned or not. Otherwise I think y'all are just way too paranoid. Now excuse me while I go put the stock turbo back on my truck, lest the hidden video cameras in the engine compartment see that I have a bigger turbo and then transmit that info to OnStar who then tells GM who then promptly voids my warrantee. :rolleyes:

oh god do I have to go on my rant again?

THEY ARE TRYING TO SCARE ALL YOU GUYS.

AS FAR AS TALKING TO THE ECM, ONSTAR IS NOTHING MORE THAN A GLORIFIED SCANTOOL THAT YOU CAN BUY FOR 70 BUCKS AT AUTOZONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rant: :rant: :rant:

It cant read when the PCM data was last reset, it cant read any checksum's in the ECM code, and it would be a monkey's uncle if it had the slightest clue what operating system your ECM was running. It can request generec DTC's and THAT IS IT!!!!!

dont beleive me? Ask Nassdmax, he knows anything and everything about the OnStar VCIM because it is part of the safety and restaint systems of the trucks.

:exactly:

so I guess OnStar has a high speed data link that can transmit your speed, heading, location, heart rate, what you ate for lunch, and other important info in real time right? And GM has hundreds of thousands of people tracking each different car?

seriously, someone prove it to me with facts other than ones intuition or "gut feeling" that OnStar can read crap like whether your truck has been tuned or not. Otherwise I think y'all are just way too paranoid. Now excuse me while I go put the stock turbo back on my truck, lest the hidden video cameras in the engine compartment see that I have a bigger turbo and then transmit that info to OnStar who then tells GM who then promptly voids my warrantee. :rolleyes:


:lol:

And GM has hundreds of thousands of people tracking each different car?
"hundreds of thousands of people" ?
Despite all the recent news articles, you're not quite up to speed on how all this stuff works are you?

The supercomputers at Fort Meade (and elsewhere) handle massive data analysis tasks like that. All that's needed is an access point to the datastream, similar to the one in that 'special' little closet in AT&T's San Francisco office.

Any lawsuits seeking to compel full disclosure will of course be dismissed due to national security, as just happened this week. Thus, those who require more conclusive proof than that which is leaked to the media can remain blissfully ignorant.

but the real question I guess is, is GM going to put any money/effort into tracking us that closely? Especially with the GMT-800 trucks. I doubt they are going to pay Motorola more $$$ to make a new firmware flash or something for the gen 5 and 6 VCIM's that would add this "big brother" capability. Maybe they'll incorporate it into the redesigned GMT-900 VCIM's, but I just cant see them putting anything into trying to watch the current vehicles.





Im not going to argue in this thread anymore; everyone knows my oppinion of this question, and its not worth continuing to get into a slapping contest over who is the most paranoid :)

Just like they can track down a stolen vehicle or pop your door locks open when you tell them that you locked yourself out, they can track down ANY vehicle if they are ordered to do so. In some instances, they didn't even require a court order to track down a vehicle. When they do access your vehicle, they can tell where you are, what direction you are going, how fast you are going, and if need be, they can access the SDM data, check DTC's an listen to your on-board conversations

They are not necessarily tracking every vehicle LIVE 100% of the time, only when a signal is sent by OnStar or triggered by roadside sensors. And yes, they can listen to your in-cab conversation if necessary. This is how they can tell if you are unconscious after an accident; during an accident, they will try to talk to you and listen for your reply. This technology is alive and well as we speak. You don't have to believe it. It doesn't affect me one way or the other if you do or not.

Oh No! Onstar on top of the Black Helicopters already circling my house!
Heavens to Mergatroid! Exit, Stage Left!

"hundreds of thousands of people" ?
Despite all the recent news articles, you're not quite up to speed on how all this stuff works are you?

The supercomputers at Fort Meade (and elsewhere) handle massive data analysis tasks like that. All that's needed is an access point to the datastream, similar to the one in that 'special' little closet in AT&T's San Francisco office.

Any lawsuits seeking to compel full disclosure will of course be dismissed due to national security, as just happened this week. Thus, those who require more conclusive proof than that which is leaked to the media can remain blissfully ignorant.

Hey,

Is this covered under the Patriot Act? Or some law similar to it?

There are plenty of articles about this. Here's one:

Federal judge dismisses lawsuit over phone records, citing national security
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/25/ap/national/mainD8J3AIS00.shtml

I agree with Duratothemax - This thread is dead. It is not that the technology is unavailable, the real question is; why would GM spend the time, effort and money to bother? To what end? This is just paranoia run rampant. Later.

I didnt post this because i was pariond or thought onstar would track me just posted it for simple information to help people out could care less if they track me all that other sh*t will tell you they can read if u have tunes or programs in your truck, GM is cutting warranty and corners everywhere because of its current situation so if it doesnt have to pay for something they wont i see it everyday not just with us fool with modified diesels but the common driver with his brakes pulsating or pads worn out becoming uncovered items

sorry to cause such a stirr!

And yes, they can listen to your in-cab conversation if necessary. This is how they can tell if you are unconscious after an accident; during an accident, they will try to talk to you and listen for your reply. This technology is alive and well as we speak. You don't have to believe it. It doesn't affect me one way or the other if you do or not.


LMAO I hope they have a wire tap order or they cant use it as any kind of evidence without your permission lol. so who cares if they listen or not...

the real question is; why would GM spend the time, effort and money to bother?
Even though this should be abundantly clear by now, you've still got it backwards. GM doesn't have to spend any money. Allowing access to the data could easily be a revenue stream for them. Such was apparently the case with AT&T (or else a demand was made to provide access without financial compensation, and there would have been legal costs to not comply.)

Your "logic" would call into question why so many marketing companies compile mailing lists, and personal information, including credit ratings, etc., or why any grocery store would offer a discount for the use of a shopper's card. After all, it costs them something to do any of that. But... then they rent or sell that data at a profit.

I could care less if they track me all that other sh*t Good, because there's already at least one class of customer for the type of data that an OnStar-type system can provide: insurance companies. Don't be too surprised if in the not-too-distant future, your insurance bill goes up after you make extreme use of that "longggggg list of upgrades" for your new LBZ.

LMAO I hope they have a wire tap order or they cant use it as any kind of evidence without your permission.
Wrong again. That once was true, but not anymore. You haven't paid any attention to the numerous allegations of warrantless wiretapping, huh? Oh right, just allegations, never mind...

Keep it up guys OnStar should go down!:lol: They unlock my truck when I leave the keys up at my house(I park my truck in a car port about 800ft downhill from my house and I don't always feel like walking up) it scores me cheaper insurance, and I like the handsfree phone. My warranty is up in 6k miles and it won't matter from that point if I have a tuner or no cat or whatever.The unit is there for the people who need it. For those who live the "SECRET" lives when you get your new GM vehicle, dont get it with OnStar, that simple.:Moon:

:snipersmi

when you get your new GM vehicle, don't get it with OnStar, that simple.
But there will soon be no choice because it's standard for all GMT900s. That's why I got involved in this increasingly silly thread in the first place.

ahh heck with it i deleted my response not worth the time LMAO. I guess if your that worried you should live like the freak down the road from my work. he thinks the goverment is spying on him so he tore all the siding off his house and nailed 2x4's all over it like a porkypine and boarded up all his windows, surrounded his house with copper wire to keep out the signals. then got his shotgun at 3 in the morning and started stoping all the passing cars to search them because aliens were attacking and he was gona catch them! of course he was arrested true story funny as hell. we allways drive by his house to see what he has added to hide from the spy's.

But there will soon be no choice because it's standard for all GMT900s.



There was not choice on my truck even thou I ordered it... I was told I would have to wait an additional 2 months to not get it.. They were only producing trucks with it at the time so I would have to hold off till they produce trucks without it... I got it for next to nothing after *****ing about having it added... Still not totally happy cause it stuck me with the dam bose system that I then had to buy an infterface for to get my aftermarket radio to work with... Oh well life goes on and on star gets such off after the free 1 year...

ahh heck with it i deleted my response not worth the time LMAO. I guess if your that worried you should live like the freak down the road from my work. he thinks the goverment is spying on him so he tore all the siding off his house and nailed 2x4's all over it like a porkypine and boarded up all his windows, surrounded his house with copper wire to keep out the signals. then got his shotgun at 3 in the morning and started stoping all the passing cars to search them because aliens were attacking and he was gona catch them! of course he was arrested true story funny as hell. we allways drive by his house to see what he has added to hide from the spy's.

If this is true, I hope YOU have a camera. :) That would indeed be funny to see.

As for the rest of this thread, are you guys seriously this paranoid? That's hilarious. OnStar got in trouble a few years back for jealous spouses calling to have OS "check" on their where-abouts via their system. After a legal concern, OS has changed their policies that it now requires the POLICE to be the only ones who can initiate a vehicle tracking session. Trust me, they are too busy to watch where you're going...

Now if you are cheating on your wife, and SHE WORKS FOR ONSTAR, you're probably screwed!
:lol:

If any of you guys are interested.....I am selling kits that will disable your OnStar system. Very easy to install & will only take about 5 minutes. I will even give you your choice of colors to match your truck.

$50.00 delivered

PATENT PENDING

(It consists of a coffee can and some duck tape!!!) LOL

If any of you guys are interested.....I am selling kits that will disable your OnStar system. Very easy to install & will only take about 5 minutes. I will even give you your choice of colors to match your truck.

$50.00 delivered

PATENT PENDING

(It consists of a coffee can and some duck tape!!!) LOL

:funnypost :muahaha: :muahaha: Summit White Please:D

There was not choice on my truck even thou I ordered it... I was told I would have to wait an additional 2 months to not get it.. They were only producing trucks with it at the time so I would have to hold off till they produce trucks without it... I got it for next to nothing after *****ing about having it added... Still not totally happy cause it stuck me with the dam bose system that I then had to buy an infterface for to get my aftermarket radio to work with... Oh well life goes on and on star gets such off after the free 1 year...
There was a choice. OnStar isn't even optional on the current WT & LS models.

Cost was one aspect of my point that has been overlooked in all the silly, irrelevant rants about paranoia and suggestions that anyone who doesn't want OnStar should live like "oosel's" crazy neighbor.

Obviously, anyone who doesn't want Onstar to function can simply pull the fuse, or even remove it entirely.

Not everyone wants extra holes in their roof. Not everyone buys the top of the line trucks, and as it stands now, for about the same money you can have OnStar, or you can have air conditioning. Which one is more useful? __ (note: "both" is an invalid answer)

There was a choice. OnStar isn't even optional on the current WT & LS models.

Cost was one aspect of my point that has been overlooked in all the silly, irrelevant rants about paranoia and suggestions that anyone who doesn't want OnStar should live like "oosel's" crazy neighbor.

Obviously, anyone who doesn't want Onstar to function can simply pull the fuse, or even remove it entirely.

Not everyone wants extra holes in their roof. Not everyone buys the top of the line trucks, and as it stands now, for about the same money you can have OnStar, or you can have air conditioning. Which one is more useful? __ (note: "both" is an invalid answer)That has always been one of my points. I don't want it and I don't want to pay for it. Any time something is made Standard Equipment, the price of the option is added to the base price.

If this is true, I hope YOU have a camera. :) That would indeed be funny to see.




I will try to get a pic some weekend I will have take a couple as i drive by you will laugh your as$ off.

i have seen some of the things onstar can see and you should be scared

i have seen some of the things onstar can see and you should be scared

uh ok Im all ears.

pictures too please.:D

You know,

The info I posted is not meant to scare anyone. They are facts. You can choose to ignore them or not; it's all up to you. Does not affect me in the least.

I'm not afraid of anything OnStar may or may not do. I simply choose not to have it in any of my vehicles. To me it is a useless expensive option and I don't want to pay for it. As I stated earlier, I can get way more funtionality for less money with the equipment I have and I don't have to pay any on-going monthly fees. If OnStar fulfills your needs and you wish to pay for it, go ahead; GM will be ever so grateful to take your money. Just like any other consumer data, they will sell the information to anyone willing to pay for it (including insurance companies).

BTW, whenever you sign your contract with your insurance company, you are also authorizing them to obtain any data that can be used by them to rate you as a potential risk.

Have fun!

It's hard to understand people so willing to believe any kind of dumb thing just because they "heard it" somewhere. And then the even dumber paranoia.... Guys who think they're so damn important that someone's gonna specifically be tracking them or listening to their conversations. Every Duramax I've seen at the dealer had Onstar because lots of people want it. I like the builtin phone and Onstar has gotten me back into the truck a couple times. It's a great idea. If you don't want Onstar, after the 1st complimentary year just don't renew. Real simple. And if your truck is ever stolen, don't cry about it.

I'am goin' to yellowstone in oct.,I made sure my rental suv had onstar,just in case,it is insurance that no other car manufactuer offers,gm has got my vote,hands down-...on a note why do the others not offer this?..maybe that is why gm is the biggest and the best-

I wanted a Deep Blue 2006 LBZ CCSB. When I sarted looking for this truck in So. CAL. there were two left. I didn't want to pay more then $37,000 OTD. I bought the last Deep Blue 2006 LBZ CCSB and it did not have ON STAR. The bottom line was color was more important then ON STAR. ON STAR wasn't even on my list of things to have (or need). How much I was going to pay for the truck was important and if ON Star was going to make that big of difference then I didn't need it but, I found other trucks (different colors) that were the same price OTD and had On Star. In the end I am glad I don't have ON STAR.

I can't believe I read thru 7 pages of this paranoid sh*t!!!

I think it is a conspirasy between the other automakers and the government to find out why GM trucks run so much better than the other brands :ro) :exactly:

Hey, oosel - Be Careful, Man !! If that crazy, paranoid nut case sees your camera he might break-out that anti-surveillance shotgun . . .

Interesting info from GM's website on what Onstar Diagnostics can do:

OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics is a new service that automatically runs hundreds of diagnostic checks on your engine, air bags, ABS and OnStar systems. And it's available on most 2004, 2005 and 2006 GM vehicles. OnStar subscribers will receive a monthly email report containing all of your vehicle results. It will help take maintenance off your mind.


I wonder what hundreds of diagnostics checks it runs?

If any of you guys are interested.....I am selling kits that will disable your OnStar system. Very easy to install & will only take about 5 minutes. I will even give you your choice of colors to match your truck.

$50.00 delivered

PATENT PENDING

(It consists of a coffee can and some duck tape!!!) LOL

Hey! I have to get in to some of this action... I will sell instructions on how to disable it in 45 seconds. Only $25.00 and emailed to you.):h

It's hard to understand people so willing to believe any kind of dumb thing just because they "heard it" somewhere. And then the even dumber paranoia.... Guys who think they're so damn important that someone's gonna specifically be tracking them or listening to their conversations.
Looking at this list of personal data thefts, "it's hard to understand [why] people [were] so willing to believe" their personal information was secure, too. And then there's "the even dumber paranoia" over large-scale, highly automated data mining that happens with the consent of the data custodians.

PERSONAL DATA THEFTS 2005-2006

___________ Target Date Number of persons affected Type of data Method
U.S. Navy Jun-Jul 2006 31,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Cingular Wireless July 2006 Unknown Corporate data Physical theft
Naval Safety Center July 2006 over 100,000 SSNs, DOBs Leak
Automated Data Processing (ADP) July 2006 hundreds of thousands SSNs, financial data Leak
Bisys Group, Inc. July 2006 61,000 hedge fund investors SSNs, financial data Physical theft
U.S. Department of Agriculture July 2006 350 employees SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
University of Tennessee July 2006 36,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Northwestern University July 2006 17,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
National Association of Securities Dealers July 2006 76 NASD investigators plus securities dealers under investigation Investigation data Physical theft
Moraine Park Technical College, WI July 2006 1,500 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
University of Iowa July 2006 280 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Montana Pubic Health and Human Services Dept. July 2006 Unknown SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Armstrong World Industries July 2006 12,000 SSNs, financial data Physical theft
New York Dept. of Homeless Services July 2006 8,400 SSNs, DOBs Leak
CS Stars July 2006 540,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Nelnet July 2006 188,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Western Illinois University June 2006 180,000 SSNs, credit card data Hacking
Cape Fear Health System June 2006 24,350 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
University of Michigan Credit Union June 2006 5,000 SSNs, financial data on paper files Physical theft
Nebraska Treasurer's Office June 2006 300,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Minnesota Department of Revenue June 2006 2,400 taxpayers/48,000 businesses SSNs, other personal data Physical theft
Allstate, Huntsville, AL June 2006 Unknown Insurance info Physical theft
Department of the Navy June 2006 28,000 SSNs, DOBs Leak
Department of Agriculture June 2006 26,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
San Francisco State University June 2006 3,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
ING Bank June 2006 13,000 SSNs, financial data Physical theft
University of Alabama - Birmingham June 2006 9,800 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
VISA USA June 2006 possibly millions financial data Leak
Federal Trade Commission June 2006 1,100 FTC employees SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Denver Election Commission June 2006 150,000 Voter's records Physical theft
Oregon Dept. of Revenue June 2006 2,200 Tax records Trojan horse
Union Pacific Railroad June 2006 30,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
KDDI Telco, Japan June 2006 4,000,000 Phone numbers, DOBs Leaked
Minnesota State Auditor June 2006 493 state employees SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
New York State Controller's Office June 2006 1,300 state employees SSNs, financial data Physical theft
Humana Medicare Program June 2006 17,000 SSNs, DOBs,Medical info Poss. compromise
Hanford Nuclear Reservation June 2006 4,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Royal Ahold (Giant, Tops, Stop & Shop supermarkets) June 2006 Unknown number SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Buckeye Community Health Plan (Ohio) June 2006 72,000 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
Internal Revenue Service June 2006 291 IRS employees SSNs, fingerprints, DOBs Physical theft
Old Mutual Capital, Inc. May 2006 6500 shareholders SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
YMCA Rhode Island May 2006 65,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Equifax May 2006 2,500 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
University of Delaware May 2006 1,076 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Sacred Heart University May 2006 unknown SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Mercantile Potomac Bank May 2006 48,000 SSNs, account data Physical theft
Florida International University May 2006 thousands SSNs, DOBs Hacking
American Red Cross, Texas May 2006 unknown DOBs, medical information Physical theft
University of Kentucky May 2006 6,500 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Miami University of Ohio May 2006 851 SSNs, DOBs Loss of hardware
American Institute of CPAs May 2006 330,000 SSNs, DOBs Loss of hardware
Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corp. May 2006 1,300,000 SSNs, DOBs Loss of hardware
University of Ohio Hudson Health Center May 2006 60,000 SSNs, medical data Hacking
Humana Medicare Program May 2006 250 Medicare applicants Paper applications Physical theft
Wells Fargo Bank May 2006 unknown SSNs, account data Physical theft
Dept. of Veterans Affairs May 2006 28,700,000 SSNs, medical information Physical theft
Columbus Bank & Trust May 2006 2,000 Credit card data Physical theft
University of Ohio Apr 2006 137,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Purdue Engineering School Apr 2006 1,351 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Department of Defense Apr 2006 14,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Aetna Apr 2006 38,000 SSNs, other data Physical theft
Morgan Stanley, Clydesdale Bank (UK), Master Card Apr 2006 2,000 Credit card data Hacking
University of Texas McCombs Business School Apr 2006 197,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Fraser Health Authority, Br. Columbia Apr 2006 thousands SINs, DOBs Physical theft
University of Alaska Fairbanks Apr 2006 38,941 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Ohio Secretary of State Apr 2006 7,700,000 voters SSNs "Leak" on CDs
Iron Mountain, Inc. Apr 2006 17,000 Long Island Railroad employees and retirees, Bronx VA Hospital SSNs, other data Physical theft
American Red Cross Mar 2006 8,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
American International Group (AIG)/Medical Excess LLC Mar 2006 930,000 SSNs, medical information Physical theft
U.S. Marine Corps Mar 2006 207,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Georgia Technology Authority Mar 2006 570,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Vermont State Colleges Mar 2006 14,000 SSNs, credit data Physical theft
Verizon Mar 2006 significant number SSNs, other data Physical theft
Hewlett-Packard/Fidelity Investments Mar 2006 196,000 SSNs, other data Physical theft
Ernst & Young Mar 2006 thousands of records on IBM employees SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Medco Health Solutions Mar 2006 4600 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Hotels.com Feb 2006 243,000 Credit card information Physical theft
Choice Point Feb 2006 150,000 Subscriber data Leak
Georgetown University Feb 2006 41,000 elderly DC residents SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Metropolitan College (Denver) Feb 2006 93,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Olympic Funding Chicago Feb. 2006 unknown SSNs, financial data Physical theft
Ernst & Young Feb. 2006 unknown SSNs, financial data Physical theft
Deloitte & Touche Feb. 2006 9,000 McAfee employees SSNs, financial data Physical theft
PriceWaterhouseCoopers Feb. 2006 4,000 SSNs, health data Physical theft
Mount St. Mary's Hospital (NY) Feb. 2006 unknown SSNs, health data Physical theft
US Department of Agriculture Feb. 2006 350,000 SSNs, DOBs Leak
Providence Home Services Jan. 2006 365,000 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
State of Hawaii Jan. 2006 40,000 state employees plus family members SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Jan. 2006 226,000 SSNs, financial data Physical theft
People's Bank Jan. 2006 90,000 SSNs, financial data Physical theft
Atlantis Resorts (Bahamas) Jan. 2006 55,000 SSNs, credit data Physical theft
California National Guard Jan. 2006 hundreds of Guardsmen SSNs, other data Physical theft
University of Washington Medical Ctr. Jan. 2006 1,600 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
Marriott Dec. 2005 206,000 SSNs, credit data Physical theft
Ford Motors Dec. 2005 70,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
LaSalle Bank/ABN Amro Mortgage Dec.2005 2,000,000 SSNs, financial data Lost/recovered
First Trust Bank Dec.2005 thousands SSNs, financial data Physical theft
ING Bank Dec. 2005 8,500 SSNs, financial data Physical theft
TransUnion Nov. 2005 3,623 credit data Physical theft
Safeway Nov. 2005 1,400 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Keck School of Medicine (USC) Nov. 2005 50,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Univ. of Tennessee Medical Center Oct. 2005 3,800 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
Wilcox Memorial Hospital Oct. 2005 130,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
National Nuclear Safety Administration Sep 2005 1,500 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Children's Health Council (Palo Alto) Sep. 2005 6,000 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
North Fork Bank Sep. 2005 9,000 SSNs, financial data Physical theft
Kent State University Sep. 2005 100,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
J. P Morgan Chase Aug.2005 unknown SSNs, financial data Physical theft
Arizona Biodyne (Blue Cross/Blue Shield) Jul 2005 57,000 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
City National Bank (LA) Jul 2005 unknown SSNs, financial data Physical theft
Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Jun 2005 6,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
American Red Cross, Texas Jun 2005 unknown DOBs, medical information Physical theft
Motorola Jun 2005 unknown financial, call data Physical theft
U.S. Department of Justice/Omega Travel Jun 2005 80,000 travel, credit data Physical theft
Cleveland State University Jun 2005 44,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
California Dept. of Health Services May 2005 21,600 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
Colorado State Health Department May 2005 1,600 families SSNs, medical data Physical theft
Lexis-Nexis May 2005 310,000 Phone records Hacking
Bank of America, Wachovia, Commerce Bancorp, PNC Bank NA May 2005 676,000 Bank account information Hacking
Valdosta State May 2005 40,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
MCI April 2005 16,500 SSNs, employment data Physical theft
Georgia Southern Univ. April 2005 thousands SSNs, credit card Hacking
San Jose Medical Group April 2005 185,000 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
Iron Mountain, Inc. Mar 2005 600,000 Time Warner employees SSNs, financial data Physical theft
University of California, Berkeley Mar 2005 100,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Ameritrade Feb. 2005 200,000 SSNs, financial data Physical theft
Bank of America Feb. 2005 1,200,000 Federal employees SSNs, credit data Physical theft
Australian High Tech Crime Center Feb. 2005 3,500 financial data, law enforcement data Loss

"on Star" What A Waste Of Money! I Could See Having It If I Was 80, Had Sometimers, And Was Blind, If And When It Gets To That Point I Hope Someone Will Have The Sence To Get Me Out From Behind The Wheel And Just Shoot Me, Till Then I Think The Cell Phone, A Can Of Fuel And A Gps Will Do!

Interesting info from GM's website on what Onstar Diagnostics can do:

OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics is a new service that automatically runs hundreds of diagnostic checks on your engine,...

I wonder what hundreds of diagnostics checks it runs?

They send "one" diagnostic check request per month, in order to retrieve your info so they can email you with it. They only contact the vehicle once a month, unless you actually request a diag check while on the line with them. Their emails usually show a picture of a GMC Sierra regular cab. Nice, thanks, OS thinks my 4 door is really a 2 door.

Its happening! OnStar is conspiring to steal our crew cab doors! Hide your trucks! Put the coffee can over your roof antenna! Pull the OS Fuse! LOL, I'm having way too much fun with this, and its still early in the morning......time for the coffee, need to finish the can soon anyways! :D

Orson Wells, War Of The Worlds. I believe everything I have read here. I'm going back to my room and make an aluminum hat so they can't read my mind.:lol:

Looking at this list of personal data thefts, "it's hard to understand [why] people [were] so willing to believe" their personal information was secure, too. And then there's "the even dumber paranoia" over large-scale, highly automated data mining that happens with the consent of the data custodians.

PERSONAL DATA THEFTS 2005-2006

___________ Target Date Number of persons affected Type of data Method
U.S. Navy Jun-Jul 2006 31,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Cingular Wireless July 2006 Unknown Corporate data Physical theft
Naval Safety Center July 2006 over 100,000 SSNs, DOBs Leak
Automated Data Processing (ADP) July 2006 hundreds of thousands SSNs, financial data Leak
Bisys Group, Inc. July 2006 61,000 hedge fund investors SSNs, financial data Physical theft
U.S. Department of Agriculture July 2006 350 employees SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
University of Tennessee July 2006 36,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Northwestern University July 2006 17,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
National Association of Securities Dealers July 2006 76 NASD investigators plus securities dealers under investigation Investigation data Physical theft
Moraine Park Technical College, WI July 2006 1,500 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
University of Iowa July 2006 280 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Montana Pubic Health and Human Services Dept. July 2006 Unknown SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Armstrong World Industries July 2006 12,000 SSNs, financial data Physical theft
New York Dept. of Homeless Services July 2006 8,400 SSNs, DOBs Leak
CS Stars July 2006 540,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Nelnet July 2006 188,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Western Illinois University June 2006 180,000 SSNs, credit card data Hacking
Cape Fear Health System June 2006 24,350 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
University of Michigan Credit Union June 2006 5,000 SSNs, financial data on paper files Physical theft
Nebraska Treasurer's Office June 2006 300,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Minnesota Department of Revenue June 2006 2,400 taxpayers/48,000 businesses SSNs, other personal data Physical theft
Allstate, Huntsville, AL June 2006 Unknown Insurance info Physical theft
Department of the Navy June 2006 28,000 SSNs, DOBs Leak
Department of Agriculture June 2006 26,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
San Francisco State University June 2006 3,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
ING Bank June 2006 13,000 SSNs, financial data Physical theft
University of Alabama - Birmingham June 2006 9,800 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
VISA USA June 2006 possibly millions financial data Leak
Federal Trade Commission June 2006 1,100 FTC employees SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Denver Election Commission June 2006 150,000 Voter's records Physical theft
Oregon Dept. of Revenue June 2006 2,200 Tax records Trojan horse
Union Pacific Railroad June 2006 30,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
KDDI Telco, Japan June 2006 4,000,000 Phone numbers, DOBs Leaked
Minnesota State Auditor June 2006 493 state employees SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
New York State Controller's Office June 2006 1,300 state employees SSNs, financial data Physical theft
Humana Medicare Program June 2006 17,000 SSNs, DOBs,Medical info Poss. compromise
Hanford Nuclear Reservation June 2006 4,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Royal Ahold (Giant, Tops, Stop & Shop supermarkets) June 2006 Unknown number SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Buckeye Community Health Plan (Ohio) June 2006 72,000 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
Internal Revenue Service June 2006 291 IRS employees SSNs, fingerprints, DOBs Physical theft
Old Mutual Capital, Inc. May 2006 6500 shareholders SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
YMCA Rhode Island May 2006 65,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Equifax May 2006 2,500 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
University of Delaware May 2006 1,076 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Sacred Heart University May 2006 unknown SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Mercantile Potomac Bank May 2006 48,000 SSNs, account data Physical theft
Florida International University May 2006 thousands SSNs, DOBs Hacking
American Red Cross, Texas May 2006 unknown DOBs, medical information Physical theft
University of Kentucky May 2006 6,500 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Miami University of Ohio May 2006 851 SSNs, DOBs Loss of hardware
American Institute of CPAs May 2006 330,000 SSNs, DOBs Loss of hardware
Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corp. May 2006 1,300,000 SSNs, DOBs Loss of hardware
University of Ohio Hudson Health Center May 2006 60,000 SSNs, medical data Hacking
Humana Medicare Program May 2006 250 Medicare applicants Paper applications Physical theft
Wells Fargo Bank May 2006 unknown SSNs, account data Physical theft
Dept. of Veterans Affairs May 2006 28,700,000 SSNs, medical information Physical theft
Columbus Bank & Trust May 2006 2,000 Credit card data Physical theft
University of Ohio Apr 2006 137,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Purdue Engineering School Apr 2006 1,351 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Department of Defense Apr 2006 14,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Aetna Apr 2006 38,000 SSNs, other data Physical theft
Morgan Stanley, Clydesdale Bank (UK), Master Card Apr 2006 2,000 Credit card data Hacking
University of Texas McCombs Business School Apr 2006 197,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Fraser Health Authority, Br. Columbia Apr 2006 thousands SINs, DOBs Physical theft
University of Alaska Fairbanks Apr 2006 38,941 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Ohio Secretary of State Apr 2006 7,700,000 voters SSNs "Leak" on CDs
Iron Mountain, Inc. Apr 2006 17,000 Long Island Railroad employees and retirees, Bronx VA Hospital SSNs, other data Physical theft
American Red Cross Mar 2006 8,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
American International Group (AIG)/Medical Excess LLC Mar 2006 930,000 SSNs, medical information Physical theft
U.S. Marine Corps Mar 2006 207,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Georgia Technology Authority Mar 2006 570,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Vermont State Colleges Mar 2006 14,000 SSNs, credit data Physical theft
Verizon Mar 2006 significant number SSNs, other data Physical theft
Hewlett-Packard/Fidelity Investments Mar 2006 196,000 SSNs, other data Physical theft
Ernst & Young Mar 2006 thousands of records on IBM employees SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Medco Health Solutions Mar 2006 4600 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Hotels.com Feb 2006 243,000 Credit card information Physical theft
Choice Point Feb 2006 150,000 Subscriber data Leak
Georgetown University Feb 2006 41,000 elderly DC residents SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Metropolitan College (Denver) Feb 2006 93,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Olympic Funding Chicago Feb. 2006 unknown SSNs, financial data Physical theft
Ernst & Young Feb. 2006 unknown SSNs, financial data Physical theft
Deloitte & Touche Feb. 2006 9,000 McAfee employees SSNs, financial data Physical theft
PriceWaterhouseCoopers Feb. 2006 4,000 SSNs, health data Physical theft
Mount St. Mary's Hospital (NY) Feb. 2006 unknown SSNs, health data Physical theft
US Department of Agriculture Feb. 2006 350,000 SSNs, DOBs Leak
Providence Home Services Jan. 2006 365,000 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
State of Hawaii Jan. 2006 40,000 state employees plus family members SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Jan. 2006 226,000 SSNs, financial data Physical theft
People's Bank Jan. 2006 90,000 SSNs, financial data Physical theft
Atlantis Resorts (Bahamas) Jan. 2006 55,000 SSNs, credit data Physical theft
California National Guard Jan. 2006 hundreds of Guardsmen SSNs, other data Physical theft
University of Washington Medical Ctr. Jan. 2006 1,600 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
Marriott Dec. 2005 206,000 SSNs, credit data Physical theft
Ford Motors Dec. 2005 70,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
LaSalle Bank/ABN Amro Mortgage Dec.2005 2,000,000 SSNs, financial data Lost/recovered
First Trust Bank Dec.2005 thousands SSNs, financial data Physical theft
ING Bank Dec. 2005 8,500 SSNs, financial data Physical theft
TransUnion Nov. 2005 3,623 credit data Physical theft
Safeway Nov. 2005 1,400 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Keck School of Medicine (USC) Nov. 2005 50,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Univ. of Tennessee Medical Center Oct. 2005 3,800 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
Wilcox Memorial Hospital Oct. 2005 130,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
National Nuclear Safety Administration Sep 2005 1,500 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
Children's Health Council (Palo Alto) Sep. 2005 6,000 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
North Fork Bank Sep. 2005 9,000 SSNs, financial data Physical theft
Kent State University Sep. 2005 100,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
J. P Morgan Chase Aug.2005 unknown SSNs, financial data Physical theft
Arizona Biodyne (Blue Cross/Blue Shield) Jul 2005 57,000 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
City National Bank (LA) Jul 2005 unknown SSNs, financial data Physical theft
Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Jun 2005 6,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
American Red Cross, Texas Jun 2005 unknown DOBs, medical information Physical theft
Motorola Jun 2005 unknown financial, call data Physical theft
U.S. Department of Justice/Omega Travel Jun 2005 80,000 travel, credit data Physical theft
Cleveland State University Jun 2005 44,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
California Dept. of Health Services May 2005 21,600 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
Colorado State Health Department May 2005 1,600 families SSNs, medical data Physical theft
Lexis-Nexis May 2005 310,000 Phone records Hacking
Bank of America, Wachovia, Commerce Bancorp, PNC Bank NA May 2005 676,000 Bank account information Hacking
Valdosta State May 2005 40,000 SSNs, DOBs Hacking
MCI April 2005 16,500 SSNs, employment data Physical theft
Georgia Southern Univ. April 2005 thousands SSNs, credit card Hacking
San Jose Medical Group April 2005 185,000 SSNs, medical data Physical theft
Iron Mountain, Inc. Mar 2005 600,000 Time Warner employees SSNs, financial data Physical theft
University of California, Berkeley Mar 2005 100,000 SSNs, DOBs Physical theft
Ameritrade Feb. 2005 200,000 SSNs, financial data Physical theft
Bank of America Feb. 2005 1,200,000 Federal employees SSNs, credit data Physical theft
Australian High Tech Crime Center Feb. 2005 3,500 financial data, law enforcement data Loss


Whew! Information theft happens, everyone knows that. If you're worried about it, there are dozens of places that have information about you that may/may not be worth stealing. This is about Onstar fer Chrissake, not financial or medical stuff. Just what information does Onstar have that's so sensitive as to feed your paranoia? How many miles on your truck? What color? Longbed or shortbed? Or maybe you're afraid someone will find out it doesn't have leather seats. Talking about paranoia....I rest my case.

Maybe "elvis knows", but he's a twit.

See...Now that is no good! I enjoy my Onstar especially my Sat Phone. I was about to pull the trigger on a Diablo Sport and MBRP T304. I guess I will hold off a bit. I sent Predator a note and asked this very question. I will post when and if they respond.

Is the communications (the Phone) via Satellite ?

Is the communications (the Phone) via Satellite ?No.

Not to my knowledge. I think its hooked up with Verizon. The OnStar operator told me that later in the year, I'll be able to get a Verizon phone and have the truck be the "second" phone in a family plan...or something like that. That will probably be a good idea--beats buying minutes at $.40 per.

Right the phone is a Digital CDMA (Verizon- Alltel) Unit. The older Onstars that have the phone feature are using the older and soon to be shut down Analog network. That is why there is a message on Onstars website saying the users of older control boxes will have to upgrade by i think 08 or 09 or they will lose this feature. They have an agreement with Verizon to provide the phone coverage and roaming when needed.

The comments that there isnt another Onstar type company out there is wrong. Mercedes Benz has a system. BMW has a system. Mclearen has one that tells the dealer that you need an oil change and the dealer calls to schedule your appointment. Rolls Royce has a system. Bentley has a system. GM is the only company that has the system available to vehicles cheaper than 30k. It doesnt mean there is not a system out there on other brands called other names.

Not to my knowledge. I think its hooked up with Verizon. The OnStar operator told me that later in the year, I'll be able to get a Verizon phone and have the truck be the "second" phone in a family plan...or something like that. That will probably be a good idea--beats buying minutes at $.40 per.

THat feature has been around for a while. Its a 9.99 line on your rate plan. But you must sign a 1 year contract with Verizon. And you must have atleast a year left on your OnStar contract.

It's ok if you like onstar, but I'm glad I saved the ~$900. Extra set of keys, watch the fuel gauge, no need to worry about some bored on-star employee listening in to my wife and I make out... @ 85 mph. :D

I was told by on star that they use any tower avalible. If you change to verizon you get less coverage. I bought the first year, for $17 I think it was, to use in an emergency. Got my chance in PA on the NY line. A bridge was out due to the recent flooding. I had no towers on my verizon phone. On star worked and I got directions.

I was told by on star that they use any tower avalible. If you change to verizon you get less coverage. I bought the first year, for $17 I think it was, to use in an emergency. Got my chance in PA on the NY line. A bridge was out due to the recent flooding. I had no towers on my verizon phone. On star worked and I got directions.

OnStar system is CDMA technology, so it will use any Verizon or Alltel tower in the area. If you switch to Verizon, it is still CDMA, and will use any Verizon or Alltel tower in the area.

Verizon and Alltel are in a "strategic alliance", whereas they share tower systems. There has been a lot of talk about Verizon buying out Alltel's wireless division in the future.

I just got an automatic renewal for onstar to be billed to my credit card once it runs out in September. I went to their website to cancel.....wouldn't you know it there are 7 different ways to add to it or renew it but no obvious way to cancel. I sent them an e-mail but I don't expect a response. I am sure I will have to call them and hold for an hour.:banghead:

I just got an automatic renewal for onstar to be billed to my credit card once it runs out in September. I went to their website to cancel.....wouldn't you know it there are 7 different ways to add to it or renew it but no obvious way to cancel. I sent them an e-mail but I don't expect a response. I am sure I will have to call them and hold for an hour.:banghead:

Call your Credit card company and let them know you don't want the charge to go through. It's a pain in the a$$ to cancel an auto renewal thru a company, I never do that, they can bill me when my subscription runs out, saves alot of phone tagging or time on hold.

I just got an automatic renewal for onstar to be billed to my credit card once it runs out in September. I went to their website to cancel.....wouldn't you know it there are 7 different ways to add to it or renew it but no obvious way to cancel. I sent them an e-mail but I don't expect a response. I am sure I will have to call them and hold for an hour.:banghead:

Just hit your onstar button and talk to one of the friendly people. They'll be more than happy to make adjustments to your account. There's never a hold time either. :D

Anyone know if being a "good semariten" has rewarding benefits?? (besides helping fellow motorists) They always say thank you and that i've been a good semariten. I must have called in 5 or 6 really bad accidents i have seen. It would be nice if they gave OnStar users a bonus like reduced price or something.

Thanks for the suggestions, I never thougth of calling the credit card company or talking directly to Onstar.:)