Something weird happened to me yesterday. I got a PCN for a parking violation. Nothing weird so far, it happens, we’re all human. But then, when I checked the time when it happened and I was actually miles away, at my desk, in the office.

And then I checked the photos. It was a blue vRS (mine is a standard eTec) so luckily I can easily spot the differences (vRS badge, sports exhaust, rear wiper).

Next steps for me were to challenge the PCN, file a police report and today I need to mail in a notice to DVLA.

Has this happened to you? Anything to else I can do?

I had exactly what you describe. Had two PCN's one week then another the following week, I was also nowhere near the violations which were all recorded in and around the East London area - I had been working there a month or so beforehand so I suspect someone spotted my car and noted the registration then put it on a another car of a similar colour, except my car was light blue and the offending car was dark blue (the V5 just says 'blue' so that's good enough for it to be the right car in the eyes of the police & PCN company).

Notified the police who really weren't that interested at all, and suggested I either re-register my car or just put up with it. The problem with re-registering it is insurance don't like that sort of thing and when you come to sell it it appears to have a very dodgy history if anyone checks. On the other hand if you keep the current registration you may keep getting PCN's or worse, such as the registration being linked to a more serious motoring offense or armed robbery etc. Once the registration is recorded as being cloned you could also keep getting pulled over by the traffic police as it looks like an illegal vehicle.

Really surprised the police weren't interested as I pointed out the offending car is probably stolen and being driven without road fund license, insurance, MOT, no driving license and so on.

In the end I kept the registration the same and the PCN's stopped coming and have heard nothing more since then.

It wasn't easy convincing the PCN company it really wasn't me, as all the evidence (car registration number) suggested it was me, had to email them a copy of the V5 and several pictures of my car clearly showing it was a different shade of blue, the alloy wheels were different as were the headlights, before they accepted it was a cloned plate.

Good luck sorting it out, I hope you find it easier and quicker than I did.

Edited 23 August, 202523 Aug by cnc

A very common thing for criminals to do, unlicensed pool cars, or even through a "company" for other scams. "Law abiding citizens" who only buy knocked-off or counterfeit goods, or recreational drugs help promote such activity, often middle-class people, perhaps VW owners, or those that bang-on about law and order (for others not like themselves).

Those that put up a photo of their car with the registration showing on t'web or social media also help makes things easier for criminals cloning regs.

I'm not sure what the Police can do about it as the cars and registrations are often only used short term until they're hassle or no use.

2 hours ago, Clodius said:

Anything to else I can do?

You could check with your insurer to see if they can offer advice as the clone car can get into a lot more than put parking violations.

You number plate and car details could be sourced from so many sources and places (very much expected in the main cities too).

Most people wouldn't believe the number of different scams and cons knock about and how easy they are to pull off but there's no point in being paranoid about it, if they're going to do it they will just don't make assumptions on what's safe or fully protected and what can or can't happen or will or won't happen.

Also never underestimate the incompetence of companies and organisations, always check your paperwork and digital forms sometimes if a mistake gets in the system it can be awkward to get it out and if you didn't originally check the info you probably signed (in some way) to say you did.

Then of course there's the in-house fiddling . . . contractors not checked, staff, ex-staff and on and on. - or it might just be a one-off incident now.

6 hours ago, cnc said:

....Really surprised the police weren't interested....

Quelle Surpríse !!

That would involve them getting of their arses and doing some actual police work.

Much better to sit in their offices montoring the interweb net for hurty words. 🙄