Scammers Are Weaponizing Sacramento's Parking Boot Warning Notices

A fake boot on your car, a real city notice attached, and a handwritten phone number leading to threats of tow trucks and tracking devices—it’s a setup that nearly cost Dashawn Fontane hundreds of dollars in downtown Sacramento this month. And he’s not the only one falling for it.

The City of Sacramento is now warning drivers about a sophisticated scam that exploits the official warning notices being distributed ahead of the vehicle booting program’s return on July 1. The program, which targets drivers with five or more delinquent parking citations, hasn’t actually started yet—and that’s precisely what makes these fake boots so convincing. Scammers are using real city paperwork as bait, adding handwritten phone numbers to the notices, then terrorizing victims through text messages with claims of $700 tow fees, $250 daily storage charges, and worst of all, installed tracking devices.

What’s particularly devious is how this exploit plays on legitimate anxiety. Fontane’s first instinct was to pay. Most people’s would be. The appearance of authority combined with immediate threats creates pressure that short-circuits rational thinking. By the time victims start asking questions, the scammers are already accelerating their threats—mentioning the tow truck is en route, the tracking device is live, payment is urgent.

Here’s the good news: the city gave us a clear way to spot the fake. Legitimate city notices only contain handwritten vehicle license plate information. Anything else handwritten—especially a phone number—is a red flag. City officials are crystal clear: don’t call random numbers, don’t send money to anyone claiming to represent the city, and if you get hit with this scam, report it to Sacramento police immediately.

The takeaway? Your city would never contact you through a handwritten phone number on a parking notice. If it looks off, call the city directly through an official number you find yourself. It’s the difference between being a victim and staying in control.