What should I do if someone has registered a car in my name without my permission?

If someone has registered a car in your name, immediately contact the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) to report the issue. Provide evidence of your identity and any documentation proving the registration was fraudulent. You should also report the incident to the police as identity theft and contact Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud reporting centre.

How can I check if a car has been registered in my name?

You can check with the DVLA by contacting their customer service or using their online services to verify vehicles registered under your name. Provide your personal details, such as your driver’s licence number or National Insurance number, to confirm your identity. You may also receive unexpected correspondence, such as parking fines or tax reminders, which could indicate fraudulent registration.

What are the risks of someone registering a car in my name?

If a car is fraudulently registered in your name, you could be held liable for fines, penalties, or taxes associated with the vehicle, such as speeding tickets, parking fines, or Vehicle Excise Duty. It may also affect your credit score if unpaid fines lead to debt collection, and it’s considered identity theft, which could lead to further fraudulent activities.

How do I report vehicle registration fraud to the DVLA?

Contact the DVLA by calling their customer service line at 0300 790 6802 or via their online contact form. Provide details of the fraudulent registration, including any vehicle registration number (VRN) or correspondence you’ve received. Submit proof of your identity, such as a passport or driving licence, to support your claim.

Should I report vehicle registration fraud to the police?

Yes, you should report the issue to the police as it constitutes identity theft. Contact your local police station or report online via the Action Fraud website (www.actionfraud.police.uk) or their hotline at 0300 123 2040. Provide any evidence, such as letters or fines received for the vehicle, to assist the investigation.

Can I prevent future fraudulent car registrations in my name?

To prevent future fraud, regularly check your credit report with agencies like Experian or Equifax for unusual activity. Protect your personal information by shredding documents and using strong passwords. Consider signing up for a credit monitoring service or the DVLA’s vehicle tax reminder service to stay informed about registrations in your name.

Will fraudulent car registration affect my credit score?

Yes, if fines or taxes related to the fraudulently registered vehicle go unpaid, they could be referred to debt collection agencies, impacting your credit score. Promptly reporting the issue to the DVLA and police can help resolve the matter before it affects your credit.

How long does it take to resolve a fraudulent car registration issue?

The resolution time varies depending on the complexity of the case. Reporting to the DVLA and police typically initiates an investigation, which may take weeks to months. Providing clear evidence, such as proof of identity and fraudulent documents, can expedite the process.

Can I claim compensation for fraudulent car registration?

You may be able to claim compensation if you’ve suffered financial loss or distress due to identity theft. Consult a legal professional to explore options, such as pursuing a claim through small claims court or contacting the Financial Ombudsman if related financial services (e.g., debt collection) are involved.

What documents do I need to prove a car wasn’t registered by me?

To prove fraudulent registration, provide the DVLA and police with identification documents (e.g., passport, driving licence), proof of address, and any correspondence related to the vehicle, such as fines or tax notices. A signed statement explaining the situation and any evidence of identity theft (e.g., credit report anomalies) will also help.

Someone has registered a car in my name what do I do?

Editorial by Pete Barden.

If someone has registered a car in your name or at your address without your permission, you should contact the DVLA as soon as possible and explain that you are not the registered keeper of the vehicle.

You may discover the problem after receiving parking tickets, penalty notices or other correspondence relating to a car you do not own. Give the DVLA the vehicle registration number, make and model and explain that the vehicle has been incorrectly linked to you.

The DVLA can investigate its records and correct the registered keeper details where appropriate. Keep copies of any letters, fines and other evidence you receive in case you need to challenge further demands.

Here motoring journalist and expert Pete Barden explains what to do to get the situation sorted out.

I have been getting fines for a car I don't own Are you receiving tickets for a car you don't own? (Credit: Caspar Rae/Unsplash)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Can people simply register a car in my name and address?
Why would someone register a car I don't own to my address?
Should I phone the police?
How to report a car that is fraudulently registered to me?
Should I pay any demands for fines I receive?
Can I open letters not addressed to me, to check out vehicle fraud?
What to do next - at-a-glance FAQ

Can anyone register a car in my name and address?

Yes, it is possible for someone to buy a vehicle then register it to a third-party name and address without the person's knowledge, initially.

By downloading a V62 form from the DVLA, it could be possible register any vehicle in the name of a third-party for a fee of around £25.

Why would someone register a car I don't own to my address?

The first time many people know that a vehicle has been registered in their name is when they receive a parking fine for example, or a demand for other types of unpaid penalties.

The advantage for the criminal is that any illegal activity the vehicle is used for, will come back to the illegitimate address they have registered it at - and not them.

This can be extremely concerning for people on the receiving end of the demands. But what can they do?

Should I phone the police?

It is unlikely that the police will be able to help you at this stage, as any issue will likely be a civil matter and not a criminal offence in most cases. If a serious crime has been committed - it is likely the police will come calling on you.

If you do phone the police, do not call in the emergency number, you should call on the non-emergency 101 number or online here.

How to report a car that is fraudulently registered to me?

If you are getting letters and fines relating to a vehicle you don't own (see section further down about opening mail not addressed to you), you should contact the DVLA and ask for proof to show you are not the owner.

Give them all the information you have about the car registered to your home. This should include the number plate and make and model. You should find this correspondence that has been sent to you about the vehicle. Send copies of such fines, but keep the originals for your records.

The DVLA will receive your request to make sure the car is not associated with your address and update its records within four weeks. You will be sent a letter to confirm this, which you can then forward a copy to anyone demanding payment from you.

Confirming you are not the owner with the DVLA should stop any further fines or other demands arriving, but keep the original letter confirming the vehicle is not registered to you, just in case some are still in the system.

Where should I send my letter to the DVLA?

Send the letter to:

DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1ZZ

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Should I pay any demands for fines I receive?

You should not pay any demands for money before telling the debtor that you are not the registered keeper of the vehicle, as you will find it difficult to recover this at a later date.

Can I open letters that come to my home but are not addressed to me to check out vehicle fraud?

Often, if a person is committing some sort of vehicle fraud based on your address, letters will start arriving for a person who does not live at that address. If you cannot find a valid reason for this - such as the person being a previous resident - it could be a sign that you should be concerned.

However, opening mail addressed to someone else - even if it is your home or business - could result in YOU getting in serious trouble. The UK's Postal Services Act 2000 section 84 says: "A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he - (a)intentionally delays or opens a postal packet in the course of its transmission by post, or (b) intentionally opens a mail-bag."

Additionally, it states: "A person commits an offence if, intending to act to a person’s detriment and without reasonable excuse, he opens a postal packet which he knows or reasonably suspects has been incorrectly delivered to him."

Talking about penalties, the act states: "A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (3) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both."

Look out for return addresses on the envelope - such as the DVLA - and phone the organisation about the letters and explain your position.

What to do if a car is registered in my name - at-a-glance FAQ

Question	Answer
What happens if someone registers a car in my name?	You could receive fines, tax demands or other correspondence relating to a vehicle you do not own. Contact the DVLA and explain that the vehicle has been wrongly registered to you.
Can someone register a car to my address without my permission?	A vehicle can be wrongly linked to your name or address, potentially through fraud or incorrect information. Contact the DVLA if you receive correspondence about a car you have never owned.
How do I get a car removed from my name?	Contact the DVLA and provide details of the vehicle, including its registration number, make and model. If you have never owned the vehicle, ask the DVLA to confirm that you are not the registered keeper.
What should I do if I receive fines for a car I don't own?	Do not ignore them. Return the fine to the organisation that issued it, explain that you do not own the vehicle and contact the DVLA to have its records checked. Keep copies of everything you send.
Can I be liable for a car registered to my address?	Being sent correspondence about a vehicle at your address does not automatically mean you are responsible for it. If the vehicle is recorded in your name, contact the DVLA immediately to dispute the record.

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Author: Pete Barden:

Twitter: @pete_barden

Pete Barden is a qualified journalist who has written and produced for publications including The Sun (thesun.co.uk), New Statesman Media Group, Whatcar? (Whatcar.com) Stuff Magazine (Stuff.tv), Fastcar Magazine (Fastcar.co.uk), Maxim Magazine and UK broadcast stations within the Heart network (Formerly GCAP). Pete specialises in motoring and travel content, along with news and production roles. You can find out more about Pete Barden on LinkedIn.

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