Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 12:39 am
The prevalence of number plate cloning in the UK has become a serious concern, leading to fines for thousands of innocent drivers, according to warnings issued by number plate experts.
Plates4less, a division of VRM Swansea, has raised the alarm after receiving over 50 calls per week from affected drivers who fell victim to plate-cloning criminals and subsequently faced fines and legal repercussions.
The act of cloning number plates enables criminals to engage in various illegal activities, including fuel theft, accessing congestion zones without payment, and evading speeding tickets. This illicit practice places the blame on innocent motorists who find themselves caught in a web of undeserved penalties.
Antony Clark, the Marketing Manager at Plates4less, shared insights on the matter, stating, “Over the last two years, we have witnessed a massive surge in number plate cloning. Our phone lines are inundated, receiving between 50 and 100 calls every single week from car owners seeking personalised number plates to dissociate themselves from the cloned registration mark.”
Plates4less offers a practical solution through cover plates, which provide car owners with a cost-effective means of changing their vehicle’s registration mark to a non-personalised combination.
Dealing with multiple fines from different enforcement agencies can be time-consuming and frustrating for car owners. As a result, many are opting to change their number plates as a swift and efficient way to address the issue.
Based in Swansea, Plates4less is a dedicated center assisting clients from the UK and Northern Ireland in buying and selling private plates.
Antony further highlighted the presence of unscrupulous entities in the manufacturing and sale of number plates, often operating on online platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook. These companies fail to verify whether buyers have the legal right to obtain a set of plates, which is now a legal requirement intended to aid law enforcement agencies.
With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Plates4less has earned the trust of their customers, who continue to rely on their services due to the team’s commitment to providing solutions and going above and beyond to assist clients, especially after they have fallen victim to criminals—a traumatic experience for anyone.
The company prioritises customer care and remains dedicated to helping individuals navigate through such distressing situations.
