Number plate scams are rising fast in the UK. From cloned reg plates to fake plate sellers, more drivers are being caught out, often without knowing until fines or police letters show up at their door.
In 2024, 10,461 cloned vehicle incidents were recorded, and the 3,501 reports received in Q1 2025 suggest a projected total of around 14,000 for the year.[1]
These scams don’t just cost you money, they can lead to stress, fines, and even legal trouble if your car is wrongly linked to a crime.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How number plate scams work.
- Signs you’re being scammed.
- What to do if it happens to you.
- How a number plate check can protect you before you buy.
How do number plate scams actually work?
Plate scams aren't just one trick, they come in a few sneaky forms. But they all rely on one thing: making a car look like something it’s not. Here’s how the most common type, cloning, works:- A criminal finds a car that looks just like theirs, same make, model, and colour.
- They copy the number plate from that car.
- They then order fake plates online. Many sellers don’t check for proof of ownership.
- The cloned plates go on a stolen or unroadworthy vehicle.
- That car is now free to break laws, commit crimes, or be sold and every fine, camera alert, or police stop traces back to the real driver who owns the copied plate.
- Selling fake personalised plates without DVLA approval.
- Using stolen plates to commit petrol theft or avoid congestion charges.
- Registering cloned cars for resale with forged V5C documents.
Personalised Number Plate Scamming
Personalised number plates are a popular way to make your car stand out, but they’ve also become a target for scammers. Some fake sellers set up slick-looking websites or ads on social media, claiming to sell rare or desirable reg plates. They’ll show you listings, take full payment, then vanish without ever transferring the plate. In other cases, a plate might exist, but the seller has no right to sell it. There’s no DVLA approval, no transfer paperwork, and no guarantee you’ll get ownership. Victims have paid hundreds or even thousands of pounds for plates that were never theirs to begin with. Here’s what to watch out for:- Sellers refused to use DVLA’s official transfer process.
- No V750 (certificate of entitlement) or V778 (retention certificate).
- Asking for full payment upfront, often in cash or bank transfer.
- No contact after money is paid.
Signs your number plate has been cloned or used in a scam
Many drivers don’t find out their reg plate was cloned until they’re hit with a fine, or something worse. If any of these happen, act fast: 🚨 You get a fine or ticket from a place you’ve never been Cloned plates are often used to dodge speeding, congestion charges, or parking fees, and it all links back to you. 🚨 You’re stopped by police, but you’ve done nothing wrong ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras may flag your plate if it’s been reported or linked to a crime. 🚨 Your car insurance quote suddenly spikes If a cloned vehicle has been involved in accidents or claims, it could affect your record. 🚨 DVLA contacts you about a vehicle you don’t own Sometimes scammers register cloned vehicles under false keeper details, which may trigger DVLA alerts or letters. 🚨 Letters arrive about car sales, loans, or disputes Some fraudsters use your number plate to apply for credit or sell a cloned vehicle.What to do if your number plate has been cloned
If you’re getting fines, letters, or even visits from the police for things your car didn’t do, your number plate might have been cloned, copied and used on a different vehicle. Here’s how to deal with it: 🕵️ 1. Contact the police (non-emergency 101) Report the issue and ask for a crime reference number. Explain that your reg plate is being used by someone else. 📨 2. Notify the DVLA Send a letter or email with details and evidence. Ask them to flag your vehicle as cloned on the Police National Computer (PNC). This helps prevent further ANPR stops. 📮 3. Dispute any fines or charges Return parking or speeding tickets with a cover letter and proof that your car wasn’t involved. Use recorded delivery to track it. 📂 4. Gather evidence Provide dashcam footage, receipts, GPS data, or CCTV images that show where your vehicle actually was at the time of the incident. 📋 5. Keep records Document every step, police reports, DVLA responses, and letters, in case the problem happens again. 🔎 6. Consider running a number plate search If you’re buying a car, a plate change history or stolen record could signal cloning issues. Spot it before it becomes your problem. 👉 Report a vehicle crime (including number plate cloning) – GOV.UK (via local police). You can also directly link to a local force that handles cloning reports online. For example: 👉 Report vehicle cloning – Avon and Somerset Police.What to do if your number plate has been stolen
If someone has physically removed the plates from your car, don’t wait, number plate theft often leads to petrol drive-offs, ANPR camera dodging, or more serious crimes using your identity. Here’s what to do: 1. Report it to the police immediately Call 101 and explain that your number plate has been stolen. This is a crime, and you’ll need a crime reference number to replace the plates legally. 2. Replace your number plates Visit a DVLA-registered plate supplier with your V5C (logbook) and ID. You’ll need both to get new plates made. 3. Use anti-theft screws or tamper-proof plates These make it harder for thieves to remove your plates again. Many local police stations even offer anti-theft screw kits for free. 4. Let your insurer know Inform your insurance company that your plate was stolen. This helps protect you if the stolen plate is later linked to a crime or traffic offence. 5. Watch for signs of misuse If fines or charges start arriving for things you didn’t do, your plate may also be cloned. In that case, follow the cloning process explained above. Important: Stolen plates are often used within hours. Taking action early can stop your reg from being involved in criminal activity.How a number plate check can help you avoid scams
Not all number plate scams happen after a sale sometimes, the signs are already buried in the vehicle’s past. That’s why checking the plate history before buying is one of the smartest things you can do. A number plate history report can show you:- If the vehicle has had multiple reg changes, which can indicate attempts to hide past damage, mileage fraud, or cloned identity.
- The dates and order of those changes, unusual back-and-forth swaps can be a red flag.
- Whether the reg matches the car’s age, first registration date, and DVLA records, mismatches can signal plate cloning.
- The car’s first registration date and official age.
- How many previous keepers it’s had, and how long they owned it.
Run a number plate search to avoid scams
It only takes one mistake to buy a car with a hidden past, and scammers know how to make even a cloned or dodgy vehicle look clean on the outside. A number plate check helps you cut through the surface and get the real story before it’s too late.- Cloned or suspicious registration changes.
- Plates that don’t match the car’s age or spec.
- A past the seller didn’t mention.