Car crash query reveals driver's cloned numberplate
A Cheshire man who received a notice that he had been involved in a car accident that he did not recall, in a city he had not driven in, discovered this weekend that his car registration details had been cloned.
The bus driver also received a parking ticket for an offence in Barking, but claimed his car had never been further than Crewe.
An insurance company had written to him requesting details of his involvement in a London road traffic accident, but when he denied all knowledge, the company sent an engineer to examine the vehicle. When this professional confirmed there was no sign of damage and it had not been involved in a crash, the suggestion that his registration details had been cloned came up.
A Cheshire Police spokesperson said, "We are aware that cloning of licence plates and theft of licence plates is a growing issue.
"If anyone does feel their vehicle licence plate has been cloned we would urge them to get in touch with police as soon as possible – to not only report the cloning but also we may be able to assist in liaison with other forces."
The driver who was involved in the car accident has not yet been traced, making any related compensation claim more complex.
*Where replacement vehicle costs can be recovered from the insurance company of the person who caused the accident.
Where this person is untraceable or uninsured, or where there is a dispute over liability, a replacement vehicle cannot
be provided.
