What
to do if your vehicle has been cloned
If
you are being contacted about fines or charges
for which you are not responsible because
someone else is using your registration
mark, it is possible that your vehicle has
been cloned.
Cloning
involves the copying of the identity of
a similar (non-stolen) vehicle already
on the road. Criminals find an exact match
of the car they have stolen, they then
copy the identity of the legitimate vehicle,
therefore making it look legal based on
false number plates being fitted.
If
you suspect your vehicle has been cloned,
the following points will help you avoid
becoming a victim of further crime.
What
you need to do
- return
any fines or correspondence to
the issuing authorities providing
them with any documentary evidence
you have to prove your case
- write
to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing
Agency (DVLA), Swansea, SA99 1ZA
or fax them on 01792 783 083,
they will record your correspondence
on the vehicle record for future
reference
- contact
the police, it is a matter for
them to trace and prosecute the
culprit to prevent this illegal
activity from continuing
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What
happens next
DVLA
will give consideration to issuing a new registration
mark on request if satisfied that there is a genuine case
of vehicle cloning and that there is a recurring problem.
Acceptable evidence might include applications to register
and licence a vehicle from someone other than the registered
keeper.
What
is being done to stop cloning?
DVLA
are working on a range of measures to seek to address
the problem.
Since
1 January 2003:
- all
number plate suppliers in England and Wales must
register with DVLA
- registered
suppliers must keep a record of every sale and must
obtain documentary evidence of the customers name
and address and entitlement to the registration
mark requested
This
has for the first time, introduced some control over the
supply of number plates, but further steps will have to
be taken to make number plates more secure and make it
more difficult for criminals to clone vehicles.
Amongst
measures currently being investigated are the electronic
tagging of number plates, the development of theft-resistant
plates that cannot be used once detached from a vehicle
and number plates that hold electronic information about
the vehicle.
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