Number plate cloning: The scam costing SA drivers thousands
Criminals are duplicating license plates, leaving innocent motorists with hefty fines and legal troubles. Find out how to protect yourself and dispute fraudulent traffic violations.
Imagine checking your mailbox only to find a stack of speeding fines for places you’ve never driven.
This is the frustrating reality for many South African motorists who fall victim to number plate cloning – a crime that leaves innocent drivers fighting to clear their names.
What is number plate cloning?
Much like identity theft, number plate cloning involves criminals fraudulently duplicating a legitimate vehicle’s license plate and attaching it to another car, often used for illegal activities.
As a result, the real owner ends up receiving fines, facing legal troubles, or even being implicated in crimes they never committed.
Peter (a pseudonym) spoke to CapeTalk after he recently found himself in a legal quagmire when he received multiple speeding fines amounting to R3,400, despite never driving in the areas where the violations occurred.
After checking the speed camera footage, he discovered that a different vehicle was using his registration number.
He reported the issue to the traffic department, but instead of getting help, he found himself buried in red tape.
Despite filling out all the necessary paperwork and attempting to dispute the fines, he was hit with another R1,000 fine, for which he was given no details.
Peter’s ordeal worsened when he tried to open a case of identity theft with the police. The officers told him he needed to report it at the nearest station where the crime occurred. This raised the impractical question – must he drive to the exact location where a speed camera flagged the cloned plate?
Tracking down the fraudulent vehicle’s location also led nowhere, as Peter received little assistance from the authorities.
Even the Motor Vehicle Recovery Unit, which is supposed to handle such cases, seemed non-existent.
Why is this a serious issue?
According to Jackie Nagtegaal, managing director at Law For All, the responsibility to prove innocence falls on the real vehicle owner.
If left unresolved, cloned number plates could lead to:
Mounting traffic fines that the owner is expected to pay.
Possible criminal charges if the vehicle is linked to serious crimes.
Inability to renew your vehicle’s license disc due to unpaid fines.
What should you do if your number plate is cloned?
If you suspect your number plate has been cloned, follow these steps immediately:
1. Report the crime to the police
Head to your nearest South African Police Service (SAPS) station and open a case.
Provide all necessary evidence, including fine notices and camera footage.
2. Notify Metro Police and traffic authorities
Visit your local traffic department to dispute the fines.
Request an official investigation into the fraudulent plate.
3. Contact the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA)
The RTIA can assist in resolving fines related to cloned plates.
Visit their online platform for dispute resolution under the AARTO system.
4. Monitor your vehicle’s traffic violations
Regularly check for any new fines linked to your number plate.
If necessary, apply for a new plate and request a vehicle clearance certificate.
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Despite taking the right steps, Peter is still struggling to clear his name. His case highlights a larger issue, namely the lack of clear procedures and enforcement against number plate cloning.
Victims often spend months, if not years, trying to dispute fraudulent fines.
Nagtegaal warns that while the legal channels exist, the process is frustratingly slow, leaving many motorists stuck in bureaucratic limbo.
Number plate cloning is a growing issue in South Africa, and until authorities take a firmer stance, motorists remain vulnerable.
Stay proactive by regularly checking your fines, report suspicious activity, and push for accountability when dealing with traffic authorities.
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