According to the Indiana secretary of state’s office, a computer error has caused approximately 1,400 recent car buyers to share identical paper license plate numbers with other drivers.

An employee in the auto dealer services division made an error during a system data backup, stated Valerie Kroeger, director of communication for the secretary of state. Following the error, computers in the division had to be rebooted, during which time the temporary license plate numbers were duplicated.

Anyone who bought a car before 1 p.m. June 8 that has a temporary plate number between E64900 and E76505 may have one of the duplicates. All of the plates are valid, however. The only people who will notice the duplication are police.

Kroeger stated that state and local law enforcement were immediately notified of the issue, as multiple names will appear belonging to the duplicate licenses if officers check a plate number. Law enforcement authorities have been advised to match the vehicle identification numbers along with the plate number for verification.

Motorists are not required to do anything regarding the duplicated plates. The problem should “work itself out” by July 7, when all of the duplicate temporary plates will be expired, said Kroeger.

Officials are still trying to sort out which dealerships received the plates.

Source: Indy Star