Jon Kirkbright, a seasoned car expert with over 11 years in the motor industry, is sounding the alarm for drivers following a string of cases where victims lost substantial sums in private number plate scams propagated through social media.
United Kingdom – With a wealth of experience spanning more than a decade in the motor industry, Jon Kirkbright, Sales Director at Platehunter, is raising a critical warning flag for drivers who have been falling prey to scams involving private number plates on social media platforms.
In recent months, Jon has observed a concerning trend that has prompted him to issue a cautionary message to drivers, as well as those engaged in buying or selling private registration plates. Reports have surfaced where scammers create fake accounts on social media, falsely claiming to be associated with his company. These fraudsters are extorting thousands of pounds from unsuspecting individuals for number plates they do not possess the authority to sell.
Jon is deeply troubled by these instances and fears the potential damage to his business reputation. He states, “It’s disheartening to realise that some individuals are losing their hard-earned money due to fraudsters pretending to be affiliated with my company. The absence of alerts or verification processes on platforms like Facebook, where anyone can claim to represent any company, is particularly concerning.”
Jon has spent years cultivating a trustworthy client base by conducting legitimate sales. He is now sharing his expertise by outlining key indicators to identify scams before becoming a victim.
Highlighted below are the primary private number plate scams and their modus operandi:
- Sharing Certificate Numbers Online: Sharing your certificate number publicly can lead to instant theft of your private registration plate. A seller may unwittingly expose an image of their certificate, only to discover that it has already been stolen and affixed to another vehicle by the time a legitimate transaction occurs.
- Certificate Image Requests: Some fraudsters pose as genuine buyers and request the seller to provide an image of the certificate as proof of ownership. Scammers then use the certificate number to steal the plate and exploit the certificate image to further deceive other potential buyers.
- Unauthorised Certificate Use: Some individuals pilfer certificates from friends or family without their knowledge. In such cases, the rightful plate owners might remain unaware until attempting to use or sell the plate. They may then discover it’s being used on another vehicle. Reporting this to the DVLA can lead to reissuance of the plate to the rightful owner.
Jon emphasises, “At Platehunter, we never finalise sales based solely on social media conversations. We communicate via phone and email, asking customers to send us documents and certificates electronically. We verify the certificate number’s validity, and only then do we proceed with payment to the certificate holder.”
He adds, “We don’t conduct transactions through social media. Our approach involves meticulous checks to ensure both buyer and seller are safeguarded. If a deal goes awry due to seller misconduct, we take responsibility and arrange refunds. As dealers, we act as intermediaries to prevent any misfortunes. That’s why individuals choose to buy from us.”
Jon’s advice for secure online purchases includes:
- Verify Trustworthiness: Never part with money until you are certain about the seller’s authenticity.
- Guard Your Certificate Number: Avoid sharing your certificate number online; it’s a prime tool for scammers.
- Thorough Research: Investigate the product and seller before committing to a deal.
- Read Reviews: Search for the company online and read reviews to ascertain credibility.
- Cross-Platform Verification: If engaging on social media, cross-check the company’s other platforms or give them a call for verification.
Jon’s insights aim to equip consumers against falling victim to scams that could compromise their financial well-being and security.
