Alarming increase in attempts to transfer ownership forgery • Here's how you can block vehicle ownership transfers and protect against fraud

(haipo) The Ministry of Transportation launched yesterday (Monday, August 3, 2026), a new digital service that allows vehicle owners to block the transfer of ownership of their vehicle in advance through Israel Post branches. The service, designed to combat identity theft and fraudulent transfers of ownership, received a response from hundreds of vehicle owners who chose to activate the block within the first few hours of its launch.

The service allows vehicle owners to protect their assets in a simple, fast way without having to go to the licensing office or post office. Using the government personal area, you can select the vehicle and activate a block, so that it will not be possible to transfer ownership by mail without removing it by the vehicle owner himself. The Ministry of Transportation recommends leaving the block active as long as there is no intention to sell the vehicle by mail.

However, the block does not affect the possibility of making an online transfer of ownership in the government's personal area, where the seller and buyer identify themselves using the national identification system and confirm the transaction securely.

The move comes in the wake of an alarming increase in attempts to transfer ownership, through impersonation, identity theft, and the use of forged documents. The Ministry of Transportation's Security Division recently identified dozens of cases of attempted fraudulent transfer of ownership, along with an increase in the number of legal proceedings initiated on the subject.

One of the most common fraud methods begins when car owners advertise their vehicles for sale on second-hand websites. Impostors contact them and request a photocopy of the vehicle's license, supposedly for insurance or financing purposes. Using the documents and information provided, they may attempt to transfer ownership of the vehicle without the owner's knowledge. For this reason, the Ministry of Transportation urges the public not to send a photocopy of the vehicle's license, ID card, or any identification document to an unknown person or one whose identity has not been verified.

Initially, the service is available for private vehicles registered in the name of a single owner only. It is not available for vehicles registered as stolen or intended for demolition. The service is expected to expand to vehicles in joint ownership and vehicles owned by companies.

The Ministry of Transportation emphasizes that the safest and recommended way to transfer ownership is through the online service in the government's personal area. This year, about 61% of all ownership transfers in Israel were carried out through it, compared to only 42% in 2024, a figure that indicates the increasing transition to secure digital services.

Minister of Transportation Miri Regev, said that the public's rapid response to the new service indicates the need for effective protection against fraud. According to her, activating the block can significantly reduce the risk of transferring ownership without the vehicle owner's permission, and the ministry will continue to promote technological solutions that will strengthen security and service to citizens.

Director General of the Ministry of Transportation, Moshe Ben Zaken, emphasized that this is a simple and accessible tool that allows for stopping fraud attempts before they even occur, and called on the public to perform all licensing activities as much as possible through the government's personal area, which offers a high level of security and maximum convenience.