A driver has been landed with £8,500 in Ulez fines after their car number plate was cloned, it has emerged. The motorist received 77 unpaid penalty charge notices (PCNs) from Transport for London (TfL), but TfL refuses to accept that the fines were not incurred by their vehicle.
Victim's Ordeal
The Guardian newspaper reported the motorist as saying: "Someone cloned my car number plate back in October and racked up £8,500 in Ulez fines. I appealed, but this was rejected."
"Unfortunately, the cloned car is the same make, model and colour as mine. I've now received 17 'order for recovery of unpaid penalty charge' notices from Transport for London (TfL). The bailiffs will arrive next week, according to their letters."
The motorist added: "I've never driven my car in London, and can't afford these fines."
How Car Cloning Works
Car cloning involves criminals stealing or copying another car's registration plates, often choosing plates from a similar looking vehicle. The scam allows offenders to run up fines and penalties that then land on unsuspecting victims, who only realise there is an issue when the fines start arriving.
TfL's Response
TfL says: "We would encourage all drivers who believe they have received penalty charge notices (PCNs), as a result of their vehicle being cloned, to get in touch with us as soon as possible, with all the available evidence, to prevent charges escalating."
The Met Police urges people who suspect their vehicle registration has been cloned to report it. Once reported, those affected can then contact the organisation that issued the fine, explain the vehicle has been cloned, that police have been informed, request cancellation and send supporting evidence if available.
Ulez Penalties
A driver can be fined up to £180 (£90 if paid within 14 days) for driving within the ULEZ in a vehicle that does not meet the emissions standards and they haven't paid the daily charge. TfL says that the number of penalties cancelled due to cloning is less than 0.5% of all penalties issued.
