Jon Kirkbright, a seasoned car expert and sales director at Platehunter, is sounding the alarm after victims of private number plate scams on social media report losing substantial sums of money.
United Kingdom – In response to a rising trend of victims losing significant amounts of money to private number plate scams on social media, a respected car expert, Jon Kirkbright, is issuing a crucial warning to drivers. With over 11 years of experience in the motor industry, Jon is the sales director at Platehunter and has a wealth of knowledge in buying and selling registration plates.
In recent months, Jon has observed a concerning pattern that has prompted him to caution drivers, especially those involved in buying or selling private registration plates. He has received numerous reports of individuals creating social media accounts and falsely claiming to represent his company. These scammers are deceiving people into paying thousands of pounds for number plates that they are not authorised to sell in the first place.
Jon is deeply concerned that these scams are victimising individuals and causing potential harm to his business and reputation.
Jon states: “It’s disheartening to think that some individuals are falling prey to scams, losing their hard-earned money to those pretending to be associated with my company. Facebook and other social media platforms allow users to claim affiliation with any company without verification, which is particularly troubling.”
He adds: “These scammers are adept at their deceit, often appearing convincingly genuine. However, one should always remain cautious when engaging in online transactions, especially on social media platforms.”
Having spent years building a reliable and legitimate client base through reputable sales, Jon is sharing his top tips to help individuals recognise and avoid scams before becoming victims.
The primary private number plate scams and their methods include:
- Sharing Certificate Numbers Online: Revealing your certificate number online can lead to immediate theft of your private registration plate. A seller might inadvertently share a picture of their certificate, only to discover that it has already been stolen and applied to another vehicle before a legitimate sale occurs.
- Fraudulent Interest: Scammers may feign genuine interest in purchasing a plate and request a picture of the certificate as proof of ownership. This image can be exploited to steal the plate’s details and further deceive other potential buyers.
- Unauthorised Certificate Use: In some cases, individuals might pilfer certificates from family or friends without their knowledge. The original owners might only discover the theft when attempting to use or sell the registration, finding it already assigned to another vehicle. This situation can be rectified by reporting to the DVLA, resulting in a reissue of the plate for the rightful owner.
Jon emphasises: “At Platehunter, we never finalise sales through social media conversations. Our transactions involve phone calls, emails, and document submissions. We meticulously verify certificate numbers’ validity, ensuring payment goes to the certificate holder. Our process mitigates risk, and we provide refunds if any issues arise due to a dubious seller.”
Jon concludes by offering advice for safe online transactions:
- Trustworthy Transactions: Never part with money unless dealing with a trusted company, extending beyond private number plate purchases.
- Protect Certificate Numbers: Refrain from sharing certificate numbers on social media; these are prime targets for scammers.
- Thorough Research: Before committing, research the product and seller for legitimacy and fair pricing.
- Review Hunt: Look for reviews of individuals claiming affiliation with companies, verifying their authenticity.
- Cross-Check Platforms: If communicating on one social media platform, validate the affiliation on the company’s website or alternate social media channels. Contacting the company directly is a prudent measure for verification.
Jon’s expertise serves as a guide for individuals navigating the complex landscape of private number plate transactions, helping them make informed decisions and avoid potential scams.
