Cloned plates and a petrol station drive off.
Discussion
The post has been a bit rubbish around here recently so got 2 letters today from Forecourt Eye. A vehicle with my reg drove away without paying from a petrol station about 150 miles from where I live back in March. With covid I’ve not traveled more than 60 miles in about 18 months but there is always a worry with something like this even if you know you're innocent. What really relaxed me was the attached photo, an Audi and I drive a Volvo.
Gave them a call and the guy seemed very relaxed about it, probably more common than I realise. Told me to report to the police which I’ve done and let them know.
Cool story and all that but I’m rather frustrated that they even sent it when their letter says Volvo but the photo is an Audi! Especially as I have to go to the effort to sort it out, I suppose this is better than a more serious crime.
Anyone else had similar? Basic admin seems to be an issue at Forecourt Eye!
Gave them a call and the guy seemed very relaxed about it, probably more common than I realise. Told me to report to the police which I’ve done and let them know.
Cool story and all that but I’m rather frustrated that they even sent it when their letter says Volvo but the photo is an Audi! Especially as I have to go to the effort to sort it out, I suppose this is better than a more serious crime.
Anyone else had similar? Basic admin seems to be an issue at Forecourt Eye!
I had a Dart Charge with photo - Same car, same plate, I was 150 miles away.
Reported to police, got evidence from work in case it was ever needed such as CCTV of my car coming in the morning, security card swipes for the day that sort of thing.
I'd be asking where they got your plate from, bit odd not even to choose the same car!! Mine was clearly from Autotrader as the car was for sale.
Reported to police, got evidence from work in case it was ever needed such as CCTV of my car coming in the morning, security card swipes for the day that sort of thing.
I'd be asking where they got your plate from, bit odd not even to choose the same car!! Mine was clearly from Autotrader as the car was for sale.
joropug said:
I had a Dart Charge with photo - Same car, same plate, I was 150 miles away.
Reported to police, got evidence from work in case it was ever needed such as CCTV of my car coming in the morning, security card swipes for the day that sort of thing.
I'd be asking where they got your plate from, bit odd not even to choose the same car!! Mine was clearly from Autotrader as the car was for sale.
This struck me as strange too, bought my car over 2 years ago very local to me. If you are going to the effort of cloning I'd have thought you'd get the same make, model, colour. Reported to police, got evidence from work in case it was ever needed such as CCTV of my car coming in the morning, security card swipes for the day that sort of thing.
I'd be asking where they got your plate from, bit odd not even to choose the same car!! Mine was clearly from Autotrader as the car was for sale.
Could it be anything like this https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... Astra in photo not bike - oops wrong number entered by operator.
Davie_GLA said:
It's automated isn't it? I don't suppose much is happening in the way of admin before it gets stuffed in an envelope by a machine.
I don't think it was automated, someone had stuck 2 photos together in a copier, one of the car at the station, the other a fuel receipt. Type R Tom said:
I don't think it was automated, someone had stuck 2 photos together in a copier, one of the car at the station, the other a fuel receipt.
Fair enough. Seems laborious though assuming that these cameras might get a lot of action. Although with that said I dare say there is less driving off without paying.Type R Tom said:
The post has been a bit rubbish around here recently so got 2 letters today from Forecourt Eye. A vehicle with my reg drove away without paying from a petrol station about 150 miles from where I live back in March. With covid I’ve not traveled more than 60 miles in about 18 months but there is always a worry with something like this even if you know you're innocent. What really relaxed me was the attached photo, an Audi and I drive a Volvo.
Gave them a call and the guy seemed very relaxed about it, probably more common than I realise. Told me to report to the police which I’ve done and let them know.
Cool story and all that but I’m rather frustrated that they even sent it when their letter says Volvo but the photo is an Audi! Especially as I have to go to the effort to sort it out, I suppose this is better than a more serious crime.
Anyone else had similar? Basic admin seems to be an issue at Forecourt Eye!
It may not be a cloned plate it could just be a simple misread. If you're curious, have a play with the DVLA vehicle search see if you can find the Audi by changing a letter or digit on your reg. W instead of an M, R instead of B or whatever.Gave them a call and the guy seemed very relaxed about it, probably more common than I realise. Told me to report to the police which I’ve done and let them know.
Cool story and all that but I’m rather frustrated that they even sent it when their letter says Volvo but the photo is an Audi! Especially as I have to go to the effort to sort it out, I suppose this is better than a more serious crime.
Anyone else had similar? Basic admin seems to be an issue at Forecourt Eye!
48k said:
It may not be a cloned plate it could just be a simple misread. If you're curious, have a play with the DVLA vehicle search see if you can find the Audi by changing a letter or digit on your reg. W instead of an M, R instead of B or whatever.
I did that on the MOT site, one was a red colt, the other didn't return anything. 3 of the letters on my plate are the same so it's fairly clear. A pal was being inundated with letters from all and sundry over his Focus. Some low life was doing all sorts around London in a near identical Focus, inc speeding, parking offences, gassing up and driving away, etc etc.
Then one night about 12pm, Plod were banging loudly on his door. Someone had been knocked down by the Focus and badly hurt about 2 hours before. Plod wouldn’t believe my pal, so in his dressing gown he goes outside, pulls the bonnet and pointed out that his Focus had been on the drive since 5pm and was stone cold.
The final clincher, was a photograph that very clearly showed the driver to be a large Afro Caribbean guy doing a runner from a petrol station. My pal is as bald as a Coote.
He loved that car, but enough was enough and he traded it.
Then one night about 12pm, Plod were banging loudly on his door. Someone had been knocked down by the Focus and badly hurt about 2 hours before. Plod wouldn’t believe my pal, so in his dressing gown he goes outside, pulls the bonnet and pointed out that his Focus had been on the drive since 5pm and was stone cold.
The final clincher, was a photograph that very clearly showed the driver to be a large Afro Caribbean guy doing a runner from a petrol station. My pal is as bald as a Coote.
He loved that car, but enough was enough and he traded it.
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