Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Richmond General District Court Scam Text
Richmond General District Court Scam Text

Richmond officials are currently warning residents of a sophisticated text message scam that uses fake Richmond General District Court letters to demand immediate payment for alleged parking or toll violations.

Details of the Scam

  • The Message: Recipients receive a text including a fraudulent "official" letter claiming they have an outstanding parking violation or unpaid toll.
  • The Demand: The letter often insists the recipient must appear in court (e.g., by 9:00 a.m. the following Tuesday) or pay a fine immediately via a QR code.
  • False Urgency: Scammers use short deadlines and threats of arrest or further legal action to pressure victims into acting without thinking.

Red Flags

  • Text Delivery: The Richmond General District Court Clerk’s Office does not send text messages regarding court dates, fines, or violations.
  • Generic/Mismatched Names: Recent fraudulent letters have been signed by a fictitious "John Smith, Clerk of the Court" and sometimes even list the same name for both the judge and the clerk.
  • Typos: Look for spelling errors like "commnitted" or "penaalty," which are common in these fake documents.
  • Payment Methods: Real courts do not ask for payment via QR codes, gift cards, wire transfers, or apps like Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle.

What You Should Do

  1. Do Not Respond: Do not click any links, scan QR codes, or provide personal or financial information.
  2. Verify Directly: If you are concerned about a real violation, contact the Richmond General District Court Clerk's Office directly at (804) 646-6431.
  3. Report the Incident: Call the Richmond Police Department at (804) 646-5100 to report the scam. You can also file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or the FTC.
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