HPI has warned that that there has been an increase in car cloning, as criminals looks to outwit police automated plate recognition (ANPR) systems.
Traditionally car cloning has been done in order to disguise a stolen car being sold, but HPI said it was being increasingly used to avoid parking fines, speeding tickets and more serious crimes.
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The problem, HPI said, is that criminal gangs are able to purchase ‘show plates’ on the internet or over the phone with no documentation. Once purchased there is nothing to stop criminals using the places fraudulently on the road.
Neil Hodson, managing director of HPI said: "For most victims of car cloning it’s a parking fine from somewhere they have never visited or a speeding ticket issued on a day the car was tucked-up in the garage that raises the alarm. For others, it can be more extreme; it could be the Police turning up at their front door, especially if the car has been used to commit a crime. But for unwitting buyers of a car with an illegitimate identity, the consequences can be financially devastating."
HPI said there were a number of ways to lessen the changes of buying a cloned car. This included doing a provenance check, and checking the vehicles V5 logbook. Check the VIN number on the vehicle matches the chassis number, and ensure they match DVLA records.
HPI advised against paying cash and to use a banking system, and to know the approximate value of the car. "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," HPI said.
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By GlobalData
