Military Veteran Discovers Cloned Purple Heart License Plate on Stolen Car

A Shocking Discovery

Armand McGowan, a military veteran who lives on the Northeast Side, said he was surprised when San Antonio police called him, telling him that officers found his custom-ordered Purple Heart license plates on a stolen car. Meanwhile, McGowan still had both of his original plates attached to his truck. The call came as a complete shock to the veteran, who never imagined his special commemorative plates would become targets for criminals.

Because his license plate, which features all letters, was custom-ordered, he believes the scenario of it being a mistake is unlikely. McGowan said he has no idea how the criminals obtained his license plate number. The case highlights how even the most personal and meaningful license plates can fall victim to what police call "license plate cloning."

"The worry for me is, there's no telling what they did with my plates, what crimes were committed with those plates," he said. This fear resonates with many victims who discover their identity has been stolen in this unique way.

The Growing Crime of License Plate Cloning

The department says the crime involves the creation of phony license plates using existing legitimate license plate numbers. Criminals then put the counterfeit plates on cars they are driving. Austin police said that in most cases, those phony plates are used by criminals trying to avoid paying toll fees or to cover up that they are driving stolen cars.

The crime has been reported in Austin and Houston, where drivers have received unexpected bills for tollway fees. In Zamarripa's case, she says, "They think that these people ordered blank vanity plates and then put the black stickers on them." The sophistication of these operations varies, with some groups that are organized, that will clone a vehicle that from a license plate even up to the VIN. And then there's other people that it's isolated to where they're just using it to hide their vehicle because they're involved in some type of other criminal activity.

A police report from SAPD says when officers found McGowan's plate attached to the stolen car, they also found a license plate stolen from someone else inside the vehicle. This discovery suggests the criminals were operating a more extensive scheme.

Prevention and Protection

To avoid becoming a victim of this type of crime, Austin police recommend that drivers refrain from posting photos of their cars and plates online; attach their plates using locking screws; and monitor all tolls and citations. These simple steps can significantly reduce your vulnerability to plate cloning.

Secure your license plate with anti-theft screws: These screws make it harder for someone to remove your plate and duplicate it for illegal use. Avoid posting photos of your car online: Your digital footprint can give criminals everything they need to clone your plate. Social media posts showing license plates, especially when tagged with locations, make easy targets for fraudsters.

Park responsibly: Parking in visible, monitored locations reduces the chance someone can tamper with your vehicle or plates without being noticed. Regular vehicle inspections can also help detect if your plates have been physically swapped.

What to Do If You're a Victim

Anyone who becomes a victim of license plate cloning should report it to police right away. Quick action is crucial for protecting your driving record and preventing further misuse. File a police report: Report the cloning to your local police to establish an official record and assist in investigations. Notify your DMV: Alert the DMV to flag your vehicle's record and get guidance on next steps.

The financial implications can be significant. Victims often face unexpected toll bills, parking tickets, and even more serious legal consequences if their cloned plates are used in crimes. However, most toll agencies will reverse charges once victims provide police reports documenting the fraud.

While Maynes says license plate cloning isn't something Austin Police has seen a lot of, it's certainly on their radar. "Starting to pay attention more to it now. Is this going to be a problem in Austin or is this an isolated incident?" As technology makes it easier to create convincing fake plates, law enforcement agencies across Texas are bracing for potential increases in these crimes, making awareness and prevention more critical than ever.