Motoring experts at DVLA have warned people of possible identity theft that could happen when selling their cars.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, many drivers are choosing to sell their second-hand cars privately thanks to the soaring costs of new vehicles. To make the sale, drivers will need to provide their V5C logbook.
However, posting this online can pose a massive risk of fraud and identity theft, as it contains personal information that scammers can use to commit crimes. Birmingham Live reports that identity theft can occur when scammers obtain your details and use them to do things like access bank accounts and take out phone contracts.
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This could end up costing you thousands of pounds to sort out, not to mention the weeks-long process it usually takes too. According to the DVLA, drivers shouldn't "share photos of your V5C log book on social media or selling sites, as scammers can use them for identity theft."
These V5C documents contain things like the car's registration mark, the VIN number and the document reference number. They're all needed to make up a new number plate, and if scammers get a hold of them, they can use the details to create cloned licence plates.
Another common scam that happened to one driver recently involved a potential buyer for his car coming to his house, taking his V5C details and using them to commit fraud.
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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