San Marcos police warn residents of scammer posing as city employee in parking boot scheme

SAN MARCOS, Texas — The San Marcos Police Department has issued a warning about a scam involving an individual posing as a city employee.

The scammer, wearing a high-visibility vest, has been placing parking boots on vehicles at Rio Vista Park and possibly other locations in town.

The individual demands immediate payment via tap-to-pay on a cell phone and threatens to tow the vehicle if payment is not made. Authorities emphasize that this is a scam.

“City parking enforcement does NOT request or accept immediate payment in the field,” the department stated.

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Legitimate parking enforcement only immobilizes vehicles with three or more unpaid parking tickets after a warning has been placed on the car.

Real city parking enforcement officers carry a city ID and operate vehicles marked “San Marcos Marshal Parking Enforcement Division.”

Residents are advised not to pay if approached by the scammer and to call San Marcos Police immediately at 512-753-2108.

Police are asking those who have already paid the scammer to file a police report.