DVLA has warned thousands motorists across Scotland and the rest of the UK against sharing their V5C paper online -as they face losing thousands of pounds.
Selling second-hand motor vehicles privately to people has increased, especially after the end of the coronavirus pandemic.
Car prices have shot up and many people have turned to second-hand vehicles to try and save money but the DVLA has warned about sharing your V5C to other people, reports Birmingham Live.
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This is because of identity theft. Identity theft happens when fraudsters access enough information about someone’s identity) to commit identity fraud.
Fraudsters can use your information to take control of bank accounts, get take out phone contracts and more which could be cost you thousands and weeks to sort. The DVLA has warned drivers that you should "share photos of your V5C log book on social media or selling sites, as scammers can use them for identity theft.".
A V5C document contains information such as a car's registration mark, VIN number and document reference number that is vital for actions such as having a new number plate made up. Criminals can use the information to make cloned licence plates.
Motorists have also been scammed by people coming to look at cars being sold second-hand. One motorist on MoneySavingExpert said: "I listed my car on Autotrader just over a week ago, the first interested buyer that came to look at the car has somehow taken the reference number from the v5 and registered my car in a new name and address.
"I must admit, the man seemed nice and polite but I have been well and truly scammed."
Anyone who is the victim of a scam or aware of suspicious behaviour should inform Action Fraud and the DVLA.
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