This NC man was slapped with almost $1,000 in toll fees from 3 states he didn’t even drive in — fraudster illegally copied his license plate. Here’s how to protect yourself ASAP

“I attempted to reach them, got in the on the hold loop, never got to speak to anybody. One time I was on hold for 27 minutes,” she told reporters.

Underhill then visited the DMV, where staff claimed they had never seen an issue like this before. The Underhills filed a fraud report with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Department, suspecting someone had duplicated their license plate, and surrendered the tag to the DMV to prevent further charges. Despite these efforts, the tolls went to collections, with late fees pushing the total close to $1,000.

‘Ghost plates’ a common tactic

After failing to resolve the issue on his own, Underhill contacted ABC11 Troubleshooter Diane Wilson for assistance. She noticed a key detail: the license plate in the toll photos showed signs of manipulation. The “8” on the plate in the toll booth photos was actually a “9” that had been altered to look like an “8.”

This is a common tactic used to create “ghost plates,” especially in states with automatic toll cameras. For the Underhills, this fraud spiraled quickly, with tolls racking up across multiple states. Once the bills went to collections, their credit was at risk, and the added fees made the financial impact even worse. Even worse, in some states, unpaid tolls can result in license suspension.

Luckily for the Underhills, Wilson was able to help resolve their case. With proof of fraud, the toll agencies dismissed the charges and notified law enforcement to look for the altered plate.

License plate fraud can be a big headache

License plate fraud can create serious financial and legal troubles. Fraudsters may duplicate plates to avoid tolls, evade law enforcement, or commit more serious crimes without detection. If your plate is duplicated, as in Underhill’s case, you could be liable for violations, toll fees, or fines, which can damage your credit and cause legal issues.

With just your license plate number, fraudsters can access details like your vehicle’s make, model, VIN number, mileage, accident history, and sometimes even criminal history. While some of this information is visible on the road, fraudsters don’t need to see your car to access it — they just need the plate number. Using this data, they can create elaborate scams, even tracking down your name and car type on social media or linking it to personal information from public records or data leaks.

For example, they may run your license plate and find your name and the type of car you own. They can then search your name on Facebook and might see your vehicle in the background of your profile picture, plus where you went to school, where you work, and even find family members. Combining this with information from data leaks and public records can lead them to your home address, phone number, and more.

To protect yourself from license plate fraud, regularly check toll statements for unexpected charges and report any discrepancies immediately. Consider monitoring your credit report for any unexpected hits, which could signal unpaid tolls or collections violations.

If you suspect your license plate has been duplicated, report it to both your local DMV and law enforcement and consider requesting a new plate. With proactive steps, you can limit your risk of fraud.