Drivers who have fallen prey to number plate clone scams are finding solace in personalised number plates, according to a car expert.
In these scams, criminals target vehicles that match the make and model of their (often stolen) car and proceed to clone their number plates. The initial checks carried out by authorities fail to raise suspicions since the cloned number plate corresponds to the same model of vehicle.
The consequence of this criminal activity is that innocent motorists may end up receiving fines or charges for a vehicle that is being driven by someone else – but bears the same number plates.
The DVLA advises, “If you are being contacted about fines or charges which you are not responsible for because someone else is using the registration number for your vehicle, your vehicle might have been cloned. Cloning involves copying the identity of a similar (non-stolen) vehicle already on the road. Criminals find an exact make, model, and color of the car they have stolen, then use the same registration number on their stolen vehicle to make it look legal. If you suspect your vehicle has been cloned, the following points will help you avoid becoming a victim of further crime.”
Jon Kirkbright, the sales director at Reghunters.co.uk, estimates that about 20% of customers seeking to purchase a budget-friendly number plate have approached him after experiencing their license plate being cloned.
Reghunters claims to be the UK’s most affordable number plate retailer, offering plates starting at just £25 plus VAT and a DVLA transfer fee of £80.
Jon stated, “Customers often find it easier to acquire a budget-friendly number plate from us, and they can have the new plate ready for use within hours of purchase. Our experienced staff can handle all the registration transfer paperwork with the DVLA, provided the customer can present their V5 certificate. Once the formalities are completed, we transfer the new private registration plate onto the chosen vehicle, and the customer is no longer impacted by the cloned registration.”
Jon acknowledges that the legitimate customers are victims of a crime and yet they are forced to pay for the solution out of their own pockets.
He added, “It’s truly unjust; the burden shouldn’t fall on the customer to resolve the issue as they have been victims of a crime. Nevertheless, many find it more cost-effective to purchase a new number plate and put an end to the matter, rather than spending hours on the phone and completing paperwork to convince the relevant authorities that the fines or charges were sent to them erroneously. Changing their registration plate helps them avoid the recurrence of this predicament if the criminals continue using their number plate and accumulate more fines or charges.”
Reghunters.co.uk boasts the largest database of private number plates, offering over 63 million plates for sale, and operates from Blackpool, Lancashire.
The business operates online, providing an efficient website that enables customers to search for their desired number plate combinations with transparent pricing and no hidden fees.
Victims of number plate clone scams may seek the most affordable plate option available, and Reghunters.co.uk allows them to easily browse through the best bargains on offer.
Jon and his team also offer a free valuation service to customers who already own private plates, receiving approximately 250 requests per day.
To learn more, visit Reghunters.co.uk or check out their Facebook page here.
