Car registration: How to prevent number plate theft

Drivers have been warned they could be scammed by buying and selling personalised number plates on social media sites.

Experts at Plates4Less have revealed motorists could lose thousands of pounds if they list their reg numbers for sale online.

The warning comes just days before the DVLA releases the new ‘73’ number plate series on September 1.

According to the firm, a fraudster may pose as a legitimate buyer and convince a seller to send them their certificate of ownership ahead of a transaction.

A scammer can then list something for sale they do not own using someone else’s certificate of ownership.

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Anyone who has a valid certificate number can assign that registration mark to their vehicle immediately. The applicant no longer has to be connected to the registration mark to register it, putting motorists at extreme risk.

It means anyone who innocently posts their certificate number online or hands over the details to someone could expose themselves.

Victims would then only find out it has been assigned elsewhere when they try and allocate the reg number to themselves.

Antony Clark, Marketing Manager from Plates4Less urged road users to be on their guard when selling items and urged them to conduct business face-to-face if possible.

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He explained: “We are hearing about cases similar to these all the time and they seem to be on the rise. Buyers must triple-check that the seller is the legal owner of the registration mark before they part with any money.

“We would advise that they try to conduct the sale in person, if possible. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Plates4Less has warned owners should never share images of their certificate online to avoid being caught out.

Motorists should also keep physical documentation in a safe place and check them every six months.

Emails should also be monitored to make sure any online accounts linked with DVLA services have not been breached by hackers.

Finally, they urge motorists to use a reputable business to sell their number plates to limit the likelihood of being affected.

He added: “For the safety of both parties, we recommend using a trusted, and fully registered intermediary like Plates4Less, for a secure transfer of funds and goods.

“We offer a safe and enjoyable experience for buyers and sellers alike. Everyone knows where they stand and they know they are going to get what they are paying for at the right price.”

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