Motorists urged to avoid falling foul of vehicle cloning scammers
Motorists must guard against unscrupulous car cloning criminals to avoid fines and penalties for offences they’ve not committed, warns leading vehicle data and valuation specialist HPI.
Criminals use cloned registration plates to avoid detection via police automated number plate recognition (ANPR) systems, which can have serious financial implications for drivers and passenger safety.
As there is no longer a requirement for a tax disc to be displayed in a vehicle’s windscreen showing the correct registration plate number, it is easier for a criminal to disguise a stolen car using false plates already in use on a legally taxed vehicle – ideally for the same make, model and colour of car.
To buy a registration plate in the UK, car owners must have the vehicle’s log book, a driver’s licence and proof of address. However, it is possible to purchase ‘show plates’ on the internet or over the phone without documentation. Once acquired, there’s nothing to stop show plates being used on the road, albeit fraudulently.
Show plates can be bought easily and legally for around £20, usually with same-day dispatch.
Stacey Ward, senior data director at HPI, commented: “Cloning disguises the identity of a stolen car which is sold to an unsuspecting victim. However, we also see petty criminals cloning cars to avoid congestion charges and offences such as speeding tickets and parking fines whilst organised gangs continue to use them to commit more serious crimes.
“Cloning creates trouble for the owners or registered keepers of the cars that have been cloned but also used car buyers who innocently purchase a cloned vehicle. They may lose the car and their own money when it’s returned to the registered keeper by the police. A cloned car can also hide other potentially dangerous issues, such as falsified mileage readings or even being previously written off after an accident, which can have serious safety implications for drivers, passengers and other road users.“
“If you are looking to buy a second-hand car, it is vital to carry out a HPI Check beforehand. This will reveal if the car registration plates have been cloned. It will also identify if the car has been previously stolen, written off or there is money outstanding on it from a previous keeper.”
The HPI Check confirms whether the vehicle registration number, engine number and vehicle identification number stamped on the car match with records held by the DVLA.
HPI is urging used car buyers to take the following simple measures to avoid being caught out by cloning criminals:
- Always check the provenance/history of the car you are looking to buy, and make sure you view it at the address shown on the V5C/logbook.
- Check the vehicle’s V5C/logbook. Stolen and fake documents are still being used to accompany cloned vehicles. The HPI Check includes a unique stolen logbook document check as standard.
- Check for forged documents – A simple tip to check the V5C hasn’t been faked is to hold the document up to the light to check for official DVLA watermarks. If there are no watermarks, the document is likely to be a forgery.
- Ensure all the VIN/chassis numbers on the vehicle match each other and then conduct a vehicle history check such as the HPI Check to ensure they match DVLA records.
- Beware if the car is being advertised substantially below market value. If you are paying less than 70% of the market price for a vehicle, then be on your guard. No seller will want to lose money on their sale. Visit www.hpi.co.uk for a free valuation.
- Cash is not king! If the seller will only accept cash this could be to avoid a paper trail once the money has changed hands. Buyers who pay in cash and then find out that the car is cloned have no comeback and find themselves with no money and no car.
- Ultimately, if you have any doubts about the vehicle or the seller whatsoever, just walk away. You are under no obligation to buy.
Stacey Ward concludes: “A thorough vehicle history check done online at www.hpicheck.com will confirm if a vehicle has a chequered past. The HPI Check also includes a guarantee that provides cover against buying a cloned car, offering buyers financial peace of mind in the event of being conned by a ruthless criminal.”
About Solera:
Solera is the global leader in vehicle lifecycle management software-as-a-service, data, and services. Through four lines of business – vehicle claims, vehicle repairs, vehicle solutions, and fleet solutions – Solera is home to many leading brands in the vehicle lifecycle ecosystem, including Identifix, Audatex, DealerSocket, Omnitracs, LoJack, Spireon, eDriving/Mentor, Explore, cap hpi, Autodata, and others. Solera empowers its customers to succeed in the digital age by providing them with a “one-stop shop” solution that streamlines operations, offers data-driven analytics, and enhances customer engagement, which Solera believes helps customers drive sales, promote customer retention, and improve profit margins. Solera serves over 280,000 global customers and partners in 120+ countries.
For more information, visit www.solera.com.
For more information, contact Nathan Lane on 07447 921654/ [email protected] or Terry Gilligan on 07770 703541 / [email protected]
Post 1: Top tips to beat the scammers
Vehicle cloning is on the rise, with criminals using fake number plates to disguise stolen cars or avoid fines. Don’t let scammers target you.
Top Tips to Stay Safe:
- Check that the VIN and chassis numbers match.
- Check the car’s logbook (V5C) for authenticity – it should have a watermark.
- Avoid cash-only transactions.
Always carry out an HPI Check for peace of mind.
Protect yourself with a HPI Check: #VehicleCloning #CarSecurity #HPICheck #StaySafe
Post 2: Beware cloned cars
Thinking about buying a used car? Criminals are using cloned plates to disguise stolen or unsafe vehicles. Protect yourself with an HPI Check, it will help to beat the clones and discover:
- Outstanding finance
- Previous thefts or write-offs
- Peace of mind against the ruthless criminals
A few simple checks could save you from losing your money and your car.
Protect yourself with a HPI Check: #CarCloning #HPICheck #UsedCarBuying #CarSafety
Post 3: Cars can be too good to be true
If a used car is advertised way below market value or the seller insists on cash, it could be a sign of a cloned vehicle.
Spot a scam by:
- Viewing the car at the address on the logbook (V5C).
- Checking for official watermarks on the logbook.
- Running a quick HPI Check to confirm the car’s history.
Stay informed and avoid being caught out.
Protect yourself with a HPI Check
#CarBuyingTips #HPICheck #VehicleCloning #SafeDriving
Third Party Article:
Avoid Falling Victim to Vehicle Cloning Scams
Vehicle cloning scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with criminals using fake plates to avoid fines, disguise stolen cars, and even commit serious crimes. HPI is urging motorists to take extra care when buying a used vehicle.
What Is Vehicle Cloning?
Cloning occurs when a car’s registration plate is duplicated and placed on another vehicle—often a stolen car of the same make, model, and colour. This scam can leave unsuspecting buyers with serious financial losses or unsafe vehicles.
How to Stay Safe
HPI recommends the following tips to avoid falling victim to vehicle cloning:
- View the car at the address shown on the V5C/logbook.
- Inspect all the VIN Numbers: Ensure they all match.
- Check the logbooks carefully: Look for official DVLA watermark – hold it up to the light and see.
- Avoid Cash Transactions: Cash payments make tracing scams nearly impossible.
- Run an HPI Check: Confirm the vehicle’s history, including cloning, outstanding finance, and theft reports.
- If you have any doubts just walk away.
Why an HPI Check help to beat the clones
An HPI Check compares a vehicle’s registration number, VIN, and engine number against DVLA records. It can identify other red flags, such as accident history or outstanding finance, helping buyers make informed decisions.
Stacey Ward, senior data director at HPI, offers some advice, “A thorough vehicle history check done online at www.hpicheck.com will confirm if a vehicle has a chequered past. The HPI Check also includes a guarantee that provides cover against buying a cloned car, offering buyers financial peace of mind in the event of being conned by a ruthless criminal.”Stay vigilant, don’t let scammers win.
