It is estimated that 1 in 5 vehicle number plates in Gauteng are cloned, according to a report by Carte Blanche, with over 350 variations of legal plates allowed in South Africa.<\/p>\n
These false registration plates are used by motorists to avoid paying traffic fines and e-tolls, and are relatively easy to obtain.<\/p>\n
The Carte Blanche team investigated the ease with which you can buy a fraudulent number plate, and spoke to victims of vehicle registration fraud \u2013 highlighting how prevalent the problem is in SA.<\/p>\n
But what can a motorist do if their number plate is cloned, and how do fraudsters get the fake plates?<\/p>\n
How easy it is to buy a fraudulent number plate<\/strong><\/p>\n An undercover investigation by Carte Blanche in 2015, and a similar operation by IOL in 2014, showed that all it takes to get a number plate from an SABS-permitted store is to walk in and ask for one \u2013 no ID or car licence disc required.<\/p>\n Some of these offending companies also produce plates \u201cwhich look like a number plate\u201d but are not legal \u2013 selling them for R200 each. Using these plates allows fraudsters to avoid fines and tolls.<\/p>\n Innocent motorists facing fines<\/strong><\/p>\n A by-product of number plate cloning is that the legitimate holder of a particular vehicle registration is then faced with fines and tolls accumulated by the fraudster<\/p>\n One case mentioned by Carte Blanche was that of Kim Hawker, an owner of a shuttle business who had one of her vehicle\u2019s number plates cloned.<\/p>\n She received an e-toll bill for a bakkie which was not hers, but had the same registration of a shuttle she owned. Hawker contacted Sanral to dispute the bill, but was hung up on by one of its call centre agents.<\/p>\n Sanral said it is not involved in the matter of number plate cloning, and the \u201cburden is on the road user to prove their innocence\u201d.<\/p>\n Traffic fines accumulated by the fraudster will also be linked to the legitimate vehicle registration holder.<\/p>\n What to do if your number plate is cloned<\/strong><\/p>\n Report the matter: Justice Project South Africa\u2019s Howard Dembovsky said if a motorist has their number plate cloned, they must first visit the SAPS and open a criminal case.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be advisable for victims to also approach their local metro or traffic police and report the matter, once they have done so with SAPS,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Traffic fines: If a motorist\u2019s plate is cloned and they receive traffic fines racked up by the fraudster, they must either contact the RTIA \u2013 if the fine is from an AARTO operational area \u2013 or the presiding traffic authority or public prosecutor.<\/p>\n E-toll bills: If the motorist starts receiving e-toll bills, they must make a submission to Sanral that they are not liable for the amount owed.<\/p>\n \u201cThe sad part of things is that even if you go to the trouble to have your number plate officially changed, the cloned plate number will remain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe statement a person makes when reporting this crime to the SAPS, coupled with the SAPS CAS number, will be very useful in making any future representations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Buying vs leasing a car in South Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Beware of remote jamming which puts your car at risk<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore on vehicle theft in SA<\/h3>\n