Experian reminds car buyers that it is not just their identity at risk

As National Identity Fraud Awareness Week gets underway, Experian, the global information solutions company, reminds people that it is not just consumers whose identities can be stolen and used fraudulently.

Car buyers need to be aware of the identity thieves operating in the used car market.
Car cloning is part of the increasing identity fraud crime wave, estimated to be costing the county around £140 million a year.

It usually involves criminal gangs giving a stolen car the identity of an existing legitimate vehicle. All cars have a unique vehicle identification number (VIN), which acts as its fingerprint. By forging the VIN, thieves are able to dupe unsuspecting buyers into believing the stolen car they are buying is genuine.

Rob Whalley, Managing Director of Experian’s Automotive division, said: “For most people, the process of buying a car is an emotional and expensive one. While they will carry out prudent research into the specification of the car they want, they still need to take into consideration other factors when buying a used car.

“Once the car has been bought, it is usually too late to do anything about it if it turns out to be a fraud. Despite having paid for the car, it does not mean that it legally belongs to them and could be repossessed and returned to the original owner.

“Police estimates have suggested that up to 10 per cent of vehicles stolen were used for these purposes. Therefore, it was estimated 30,000 to 40,000 vehicles are involved annually with a market value of around £140 million.

“Unfortunately there is no direct way of determining how many stolen vehicles have had their identities swapped. The problem is the genuine vehicle is identical in every way. While carrying out a vehicle history check is a prudent way of buying a used car and can highlight a number of suspicious discrepancies, no history check on its own can actually tell if a car has been cloned, because the details of the car being investigated are those of a legitimate car.

“However, there are steps that car buyers can take to avoid becoming a victim of this kind of identity fraud. There are simple things to look out for when buying a used car, which could possibly indicate that all is not well.

“Car buyers should watch out for the following scenarios. If just one detail appears suspect, then walking away is the best option. After all, it is better to let a dream car fall through than to find yourself out of pocket.”

You meet the vendor at a neutral location or the vendor volunteers to bring the car to you as it’s on his way somewhere.
- He doesn’t want you to know his address.

The vendor is outside the property named on the V5 form when you arrive and you do not go inside.
- He doesn’t actually live there. He is just conveniently outside on his phone or has just arrived himself when you pull up.

If you are buying from a so-called trader, then he operates from a flat with the car in a resident’s car park.
- Traders usually operate from commercial premises, so this is really a private sale.

He insists on a cash payment.
- He doesn’t want a cheque or bankers draft to be traced back to him.

The price is a bargain or he readily reduces it when you hesitate.
- Any amount in cash is better than being caught with a stolen vehicle.

It is in better condition than others of the same age you have viewed.
- It is probably a couple of years newer with false number plates.

The mileage is very low for the year.
- As above.

Vehicle is slightly damaged and therefore reduced in price.
- How convenient to ensure a quick cash sale.

There is no service book and/or handbook.
- The real owner was not stupid enough to leave them in the glove box.

There is only one key.
- The second key is still with the real owner.

He has apparently lost the MOT certificate, but will forward a copy to you.
- An MOT tester might just realise that it is a cloned car.

There is no V5 form due to a recent plate change or he has only just bought it himself.
- Why doesn’t he wait until the form comes back?

Only a mobile phone number is given on the advert or the landline never seems to be answered
- A mobile number can be untraceable. The landline is probably a phone box.

He is after a quick sale because his wife doesn’t like it. He gives excuses such as “She thinks it’s too big.”
- Have you met his wife?

His father has just died and therefore the details on the documents do not match. You do not pursue out of sympathy and embarrassment.
- Don’t be coy. Ask to see the probate certificate for the estate.

There have been several recent keeper changes.
- Why? What’s wrong with it? Or is it because there is more than one car out there with the same number plate?

You find the VIN on the windscreen of the car and the VIN plate – the two most common locations it can be found on a car - and it all looks legitimate, so you look no further.
- There is an industry thriving on false VIN plates, so you need to check the ones on the chassis.

The mileage does not tally with the service history.
- The mileage history belongs to the real car, not this one.