WYDOT Warns of Lien Washing Scams in Southwest Wyoming

CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Department of Transportation is warning residents about recent attempted lien washing scams that total to nearly $1 million.

Also called title washing, lien washing is fraudulently and illegally omitting or removing lien information on a vehicle title in order to evade paying loans tied to those vehicles, including mechanic liens, storage liens or auto loan liens.

Earlier this summer, multiple counties in southwest Wyoming reported attempted lien washing scams to WYDOT’s Compliance and Investigation division. Those attempts were largely unsuccessful.

“WYDOT collaborates closely with our county partners to stop attempted title fraud like lien washing,” Lacey Bruckner, investigation supervisor with WYDOT Compliance and Investigation said. “The vigilance and partn