Learn more about how your car could be at risk of cloning

When someone clones your car, it is when the identity of your car will be duplicated. The main part of this is that the vehicle registration of the car is taken and duplicated. 

This particular crime is not new and has been happening for some years, however, it seems that of late it has definitely been on the rise. In fact, for the year 2018/19 car cloning saw a sharp increase, 156% more than previous years. 

During this time period, the DVLA (who are in charge of rectifying the issues that arise with number plate cloning) received 6,173 reports and enquiries that related to car registrations that were cloned. Out of these enquiries, 204 new car registration plates had to be issued. 

I think that my plate has been cloned, what shall I do? 

The only way that many people will realise that their car has been cloned is because they will receive notification of fines and tickets that relate to their number plate, even though they were not driving their car at that time.

If you do notice this then you should make sure that you return any of the correspondence that relates to fines, charges, parking offences or even court summons due to these charges. These need to go back to the issuing authority, also including as much documentary evidence in order to prove your cars. 

You should also make sure that you write to the DVLA in Swansea, who will then record the correspondence on a record, which will be used for future reference. 

It is also important that you contact the police as they will need to make sure that they document the case, trace the offender and then prosecute. 

What is being done to prevent cloning?

With the rates so high at the moment for cloning, it makes sense to wonder whether or not anything is being done to stop it. 

Thankfully, the DVLA have worked hard to put measures in place to reduce the number of cars which are cloned. One of the main measures is that they have introduced the Registered Number Plate Suppliers Scheme (also known as RNPS). 

This scheme ensures that any number plates that are sold are traceable and that they are controlled, in fact, there needs to be a record kept of every single number plate which is sold. These records should include evidence of the name of the customer, their address and also their entitlement to that particular registration. It is this information which will then be used to protect those owners who are legitimate and also detect any possible criminal activity. 

If you are buying a number plate for your car, then it is important that you take the time to make sure that the company you are buying from is part of the RNPS as this will mean that you are protected. 

*This is a collaborative post.