The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts has issued a warning about a text message scam targeting residents. The scam involves messages that mimic the Pennsylvania Courts and Unified Judicial System websites, falsely claiming that recipients have outstanding traffic tickets. These messages urge individuals to pay fines through a fraudulent URL.
The scam threatens recipients with fictitious penalties, such as license suspension, criminal prosecution, and negative impacts on credit scores, if the fines are not paid. However, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts clarifies that it never sends text messages or calls soliciting payment through credit cards, gift cards, or electronic funds transfers.
Residents are advised not to provide any sensitive information or payment if they receive such messages. Instead, they should immediately contact local or state police and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection, at (800) 441-2555 or scams@attorneygeneral.gov.
For further information, Pennsylvania Courts advise vigilance against this scam and encourage the public to report any suspicious messages.