Pennsylvania’s Attorney General is alerting the public to an email and text scam concerning municipal courts.
While many of the scam messages claim to be from the Philadelphia Municipal Court, other courts and entities have been named in the fraudulent messages. The scammers will tell the potential victims that they have an unpaid parking ticket and it needs to be paid immediately or they will face a court appearance. They warn of the consequences of not paying, including additional fines, driver’s license suspension or court enforcement action.
Attorney General Dave Sunday says the scammers will rely on fear and urgency to get their victims to give up vital financial information. He says to take a moment to determine if the message is valid. He added that courts will not conduct official business through unsolicited text messages and most do not communicate by mail unless specifically requested.
Any unsolicited or suspicious text messages or emails should be reported as spam or junk through your phone or email provider. Consumers can also block the number or email address to prevent further contact from the scammer. If you get one of these, you can also file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office of Consumer Protection online. That complaint should also include a copy of the text or email received.
Comments