How I dealt with cloned plates

[Moonpiemagic]

Hi guys,

I just thought I would drop a post on a recent issue I had with someone cloning my plates. copying my reg and sticking it on a similar car and driving around collecting tickets. The car was a similar model but different color (Grey and not black)

I thought I would post so that if anyone experiences similar, this might help.

As soon as I got 4 letters through the doors with fines (£150 per fine / letter). I had a quick read and could see the photo of the car but I knew it was defenitly not me as I also had security cam on my drive to prove the car was on the drive at the time. The other thing I noticed was that the cloned plates didnt have GB on them.

Anyway first thing to do was to report it to the police straight away and get a case opened with a reference.

I could then appeal all the tickets with the case number from the police.

I then received another 2 fines through the door which I contested right away over an online portal with the police case number.

And then again another 2 or 3 fines through which I appealed right away with the case number.

After the 3 round of tickets, I called up the DVLA where I was advised as a last resort I can giveup the current reg on the car for a new one which they will provide me with a new V5. So I did this right away to remove the current reg with my address.

• Buying a personalized plate wouldnt work as it would still be connected to the current reg*

I then also registered the issue with the local police where the issue happened so that it was also on their system and at the same time as I didnt need to use the car I SORN the vehicle in a hope it will appear up on an ANPR for the police to notice on the road.



..... So all in all as inconvenient as the issue was I was suprised at how well the issue was dealt with and the response from the police dept's and also the DVLA. The fines were dealt with right away and my assumption of a months and months battling these was very wrong, the tickets were cancelled the following week without any issues at all. So I think the most important part of contesting those tickets was the police case reference.


So anyway, getting my new book for the car which is all good. But if anyone runs into this issue as well, I hope this helps.

[FatboyKim]

I remember the original thread, and that sounds like a good result. As you say, fairly hassle-free and easy if you have a way to prove conclusively that the car was at home or elsewhere at the time of the offence, and not in fact halfway across the country getting speeding fines and not paying congestions charges etc.

Does DVLA simply issue a similar random plate from your car's registered year then?

[bristolracer]

Good info
Thank you.
With more and more cameras/parking/Caz zones this sort of thing will get more and more common.
The lack of traffic police doesn't help either

[Moonpiemagic]

FatboyKim said:

Does DVLA simply issue a similar random plate from your car's registered year then?

Yes thats correct, they will issue a new plate for the year of reg for your car.

[f1ten]

Good intel thanks

[Chubbyross]

OP, thanks for posting that. It’s a really useful point of reference. Shows the best of PH.

[MisanoPayments]

The one time I've been pulled over was for cloned plates. I was told my reg had been involved in a hit and run or something serious so perhaps because of that I had no problems with fines etc as I imagine the reg wasn't used for long.

I was very surprised how close up my backside they came to pull me over (on the A3) but I guess until I stepped out of the car in my check shirt and chinos they weren't to know I wasn't their guy

They confirmed my details and suggested I put a sticker in the bottom of the rear window (which I did in the week) and off we went.

[Fady]

MisanoPayments said:

The one time I've been pulled over was for cloned plates. I was told my reg had been involved in a hit and run or something serious so perhaps because of that I had no problems with fines etc as I imagine the reg wasn't used for long.

I was very surprised how close up my backside they came to pull me over (on the A3) but I guess until I stepped out of the car in my check shirt and chinos they weren't to know I wasn't their guy

They confirmed my details and suggested I put a sticker in the bottom of the rear window (which I did in the week) and off we went.

Sticker saying what?

[joropug]

Good work

Interested to know how a private plate is any different to their issue (albeit more expensive)

[C.A.R.]

Great result, rare that you hear of the success rate of "the system" in these cases, good to know it works as it should.

One thing though, would this possibly affect the resale value of said car? How would it look on the V5 or indeed a HPI history checker?

Just curious, I've no idea!

[Dave.]

Fady said:

Sticker saying what?

Anything, or nothing.... Just something to differentiate the two cars in question.

It's very unlikely Mr Scummy McScumface would be local enough to see that you've got something obvious in the back window, which should prove your innocence.

Just make sure it's obvious enough to be seen on grainy grey scale CCTV images.

[EC2]

joropug said:

Good work

Interested to know how a private plate is any different to their issue (albeit more expensive)

Apparently there is a always a standard age relevant plate behind ever car on a private plate. I have had a few cars over the years that I have put my private plate on from new so never knew my age identifier plate until I sold the car but a dealer explained this to me.

[vikingaero]

Fady said:

MisanoPayments said:

The one time I've been pulled over was for cloned plates. I was told my reg had been involved in a hit and run or something serious so perhaps because of that I had no problems with fines etc as I imagine the reg wasn't used for long.

I was very surprised how close up my backside they came to pull me over (on the A3) but I guess until I stepped out of the car in my check shirt and chinos they weren't to know I wasn't their guy

They confirmed my details and suggested I put a sticker in the bottom of the rear window (which I did in the week) and off we went.

Sticker saying what?

[Pssst! This is not the cloned car!]

I imagine you put any random sticker to differentiate your car from the cloned car in photos.

[Mammasaid]

vikingaero said:

Fady said:

MisanoPayments said:

The one time I've been pulled over was for cloned plates. I was told my reg had been involved in a hit and run or something serious so perhaps because of that I had no problems with fines etc as I imagine the reg wasn't used for long.

I was very surprised how close up my backside they came to pull me over (on the A3) but I guess until I stepped out of the car in my check shirt and chinos they weren't to know I wasn't their guy

They confirmed my details and suggested I put a sticker in the bottom of the rear window (which I did in the week) and off we went.

Sticker saying what?

[Pssst! This is not the cloned car!]

I imagine you put any random sticker to differentiate your car from the cloned car in photos.

Surely this is the only sticker you need!

[Moonpiemagic]

C.A.R. said:

Great result, rare that you hear of the success rate of "the system" in these cases, good to know it works as it should.

One thing though, would this possibly affect the resale value of said car? How would it look on the V5 or indeed a HPI history checker?

Just curious, I've no idea!

Thanks, yeh pretty happy that it wasnt even close to as stressful as I thought.

tbh I have no idea really, I dont plan on selling my car so its not an issue to me.

[Dogwatch]

Fady said:

Sticker saying what?

If you’re not fussed about the paintwork I suppose a GB/UK sticker would do.