Sacramento drivers are getting hit with a slick new scam that looks painfully official: a bogus wheel clamp slapped on a tire, paired with what appears to be a real city parking warning. After that comes the shakedown, with texts or calls demanding hundreds of dollars. City officials say their legitimate vehicle-boot program, which will target cars with five or more unpaid parking citations, does not start until July 1, so anyone told to pay up immediately should treat it as a giant red flag.
How the scam works
Scammers are reportedly taking genuine city warning slips, sticking them on windshields, then adding handwritten phone numbers that route victims straight to the grifters, according to KCRA. City officials told reporters that real notices only have the vehicle's license plate written in by enforcement staff. Any extra handwriting, especially a phone number, is a sign something is off.
In some cases, victims reported receiving text messages claiming a tracking device had been installed and threatening a $700 tow fee or daily storage charges if they did not pay quickly. The pressure is the point, officials say, with scammers trying to panic drivers into handing over cash before they have time to verify anything.
Statewide context
That hardball tactic mirrors so-called "vehicle-hostage" scams documented around California, where tow operators and repair shops allegedly refuse to release cars unless drivers cough up inflated fees, the California Department of Insurance warned in a 2025 advisory. Those cases highlight how quickly a routine car problem can become an expensive nightmare, and officials urge people to verify any towing or payment demands with law enforcement or their insurance company.
Victim reports and city guidance
One downtown driver, Dashawn Fontane, told reporters he walked up to his car, saw what looked like a boot on the wheel, and then started getting texts demanding steep fees. City officials say similar reports triggered the public warning.
The city has reiterated that its boot program is aimed at vehicles with five or more delinquent parking citations and that booting will not begin until July 1, as reported by KCRA. Anyone who finds a questionable device on their car or feels pressured to pay on the spot is urged to contact Sacramento police instead of negotiating with whoever is on the other end of a random phone number.
How to protect yourself
Drivers are being urged not to call handwritten phone numbers or send money to anyone claiming to be from the city. Instead, they should confirm any citation or boot through official city channels and SacPark. The City of Sacramento's parking FAQ explains that drivers who encounter a legitimate boot should call 916-808-7201 to arrange proper removal and that the Revenue Division is available at 916-808-8500 for citation questions, according to the City of Sacramento.
If you believe you have been targeted, officials advise documenting the notice, saving any texts and photos, and contacting Sacramento police and your bank right away.
