A motorist has been hit with £8,500 in Ulez fines after their number plate was cloned. The driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, received 77 penalty charge notices from Transport for London (TfL) for a vehicle identical to theirs.
The cloning occurred in October, and the driver appealed but was initially rejected. They have now received 17 'order for recovery' notices, with bailiffs expected to visit next week. The driver has never driven their car in London and cannot afford the fines.
According to the DVLA, car number plate cloning rose by 9% last year. Criminals copy or steal registration plates to fix onto similar vehicles, evading parking, speeding, and clean air zone fines.
TfL cancelled the penalties after the driver provided evidence, including a police crime reference, that they did not own the offending vehicle. TfL urges drivers who suspect cloning to contact them promptly with evidence such as photos, witness statements, or proof of discrepancies between vehicles.
