Criminals are cloning legitimate license plates, placing counterfeit versions on vehicles to evade tolls or conceal stolen cars. A San Antonio man discovered his custom Purple Heart plates were duplicated and found on a stolen vehicle, while his original plates remained on his truck. While Austin police state this crime is uncommon and rarely involves major offenses, the victim expressed concern about potential misuse of his plates. To combat this, authorities advise drivers to limit online posting of license plates, use locking screws, and monitor toll and citation records. Reporting such incidents to police immediately is crucial for victims.