Report vehicle cloning
Vehicle cloning involves criminals copying another vehicle’s registration plates, often choosing plates from a vehicle that looks like theirs.
The scam can result in the driver of the cloned vehicle accumulating fines while the innocent owner of the original vehicle receives the financial penalties.
Victims usually do not realise their vehicles have been cloned until fines start arriving in the post, typically for speeding tickets, parking fines, bus-gate or bus-lane penalties, or congestion charges.
Evidence of vehicle cloning can include:
- parking charge notice (PCN) from a council relating to a parking, bus-lane or bus-gate fine
- notice of intended prosecution (NIP) from the police for speeding or another offence
- letter or PCN from a private parking enforcement company
In order to make a report, you will need to provide evidence that proves that your vehicle has been cloned:
- photographic evidence clearly showing that the vehicle on the PCN or fine is different from yours (for example, it is a different make, model, or colour, or it has distinctive modifications, such as spoilers or stickers), or
- evidence proving your vehicle could not have been at the location at the time of the alleged offence
You will need to upload images of your vehicle along with the evidence. Please note that if the evidence provided is not substantial, your report will not be actioned. We can only accept reports of vehicle cloning where the evidence shows the cloned vehicle is located in the Avon and Somerset force area.
Report vehicle cloning
If you have evidence your vehicle’s number plate has been cloned, you can report it:
- online – fill in the
- in person – visit a police station
Be aware…
A marker will be added to your number plate
After you report vehicle cloning and upload your evidence to us, we will update the Police National Database to show the vehicle registration has potentially been cloned.
A marker will be added to your registration number. This means you can be stopped at anytime anywhere in the UK until we are confident the cloned vehicle is off the road.
Patience required
Cloned vehicles are only ever used for criminality. As such, officers will not know which vehicle they are stopping until they have completed thorough checks, so be patient when you are stopped.
Fraudulent claims
If it is subsequently discovered that a fraudulent claim of cloning has been made, you may be subject to police action which might include charges of perverting the course of justice.
Follow any appeal processes
If you have received a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) or any other road-related charge that you believe does not relate to your vehicle, you must first contact the issuing authority and follow their appeal process before submitting a report.