DVLA officials have sent out an urgent warning to people selling their cars over potential identity theft. Many individuals are now choosing the sell their vehicles privately amid a rise in costs for new products.
When you sell your vehicle, to officially make the sale, owners must provide their V5C logbook. But the DVLA warns posting it online puts you at risk of fraud and identity theft, reports the Daily Record.
This is because the logbook contains personal information and scammers can use it to commit crimes, including accessing bank accounts and taking out phone contracts - and could cost you thousands of pounds.
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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 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 round 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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