The Baja California Tax Administration Service (SAT BC) is warning residents about a phone scam in which callers impersonate government officials and offer vehicle import regularization services. The agency says the federal vehicle regularization program ended in December 2025, and no extension has been authorized.
Scammers are calling vehicle owners and posing as SAT BC employees. They offer to complete regularization paperwork and request payments, deposits, or bank transfers over the phone. SAT BC says these calls are fraudulent and no legitimate government employee will ask for money by phone.
Regularization Program Has Ended
Mexico’s vehicle import regularization program allowed owners of foreign-plated cars to legalize their vehicles for use in the country. The program ran for several years and was popular in Baja California, where thousands of U.S.-plated vehicles circulate daily. The program officially closed in December 2025.
Because so many people participated in the process, scammers now appear to be exploiting public awareness of the program. They may be using publicly available information or leaked data to identify potential targets. Anyone who went through the regularization process, or started but did not finish, could be vulnerable to these calls.
What to Do If You Receive a Call
SAT BC is urging anyone who receives an unsolicited phone call about vehicle regularization to hang up immediately. The agency says residents should not make any payments, deposits, or transfers to anyone claiming to represent SAT BC over the phone.
If you have a pending regularization case or questions about your vehicle’s status, SAT BC says you should visit your local municipal tax office in person. These offices operate in Tijuana, Mexicali, Ensenada, Tecate, Rosarito, and other municipalities across Baja California. Only payments made through official channels at these offices are valid.
A Common Tactic on Both Sides of the Border
This type of government impersonation scam is not unique to Mexico. In the United States, the California DMV issued warnings in April 2025 about fraudulent text messages demanding toll payments. The FBI has also flagged similar schemes nationwide. The pattern is consistent: scammers create urgency by referencing real government programs and threaten penalties to pressure victims into paying quickly.
For foreign residents in Baja California who own or drive a U.S.-plated vehicle, the safest approach is simple. Do not engage with unsolicited calls about vehicle paperwork. Visit your nearest SAT BC municipal office to verify any claims in person.
This story was first reported by Ensenada.net.