Hit and run the mistaken identity
 

I just received a letter from BELL collection agency saying that I've been involved in a hit and run. Apparently this is my 2nd warning if I don't pay the amount owed I will get possible suspension. I've called them and they said I hit a car up in SF (I live in LA) last year and apparently they got my license plate but the problem is that since I've owned the car I haven't put the license plate on it and have never driven it outside of socal. I was wondering if anyone here has ever experienced this before and if you have what did you do to clear it up?

Well lawyer up and start suing someone. Well let's start with this, do they have evidence of your plates and ask for proof. Falsify claims can get them into big trouble. Ask for specifics of the car with that plate

How are you driving around with no plates?

Sounds like a scam. I would call the local police station and find out if there's a report in the system. If there's a report, get lawyer.

Ask for all their details and their police report. If they can't provide that, tell them you will send them a copy of your police report for their fraud.

It's a collection agency so assume everything they say is a lie. Record every conversation you have with them and as was just said, get a lawyer and take them for every single penny you can. They are evil.

I would first start with going down to the police station and have hem run your plates to see if a report comes up first.

Block the phone number and ignore them. It's a scam or a typo/mistaken identity. Nothing will ever come of it.

In California, you have 6 months post-purchase before you have to put on permanent plates. However, if you keep your car looking newish and avoid being pulled over, no one will question if you leave your temp tags on for longer.

I pulled out my plates from under a pile of papers and found out that they really did match my plates. Ya, I'm going to call the San Francisco police station tomorrow and give them the "police report number". I would rather have this all cleared up instead of getting a lawyer (but it would be nice too sue for lots of money lol). I'm pretty sure I can't go to any police station in CA and ask for a report right (I live in socal no where near sf).

I have my car all clean and the "temp" papers still stuck to my window and since I haven't done any mods to my car they think its still brand new.

It's a scam.
Bolded is the attempts to scare you.
Don't talk to them.
Tell them to send you the paperwork through the mail so your lawyer can look at it. Don't give them any information, not even the address to mail the paperwork.
You won't hear from them again.

Def a scam. These scam artists have been becoming quite brash lately. They had he audacity to post a claim on a buddy's apartment building front door. These people are scum.

You are mailed license plates approx. 3 weeks after the car purchase is recorded with the DMV. In reality, many owners of new cars drive around for much longer without putting on plates.

California is a 2-party consent state. You'd need the other party's consent before taping a conversation. In case OP chooses this route...

Not true. By law you have to put on your plates once you have been issued them. Some people delay this as much as possible, just to be "cool"

-alex