Davidson County General Sessions Court Scam

How the Scam Works

• The Message: Victims receive a text message claiming they have an unpaid traffic ticket or toll violation from the "State of Tennessee and the General Sessions Court of Davidson County".
• The Hook: The notice includes a date to appear in court and threatens "arrest," "default judgment," or "additional fines" if not paid immediately.
• The Payment Method: It provides a QR code or a link to a fraudulent website that mimics official state departments (like the TN Dept. of Homeland Security) to collect payment.

Red Flags

• Fake Officials: The "Judge" and "Clerk of the Court" are often both listed as "John Smith," a name that does not exist among current Nashville judges.
• Inaccurate Details: The messages often mention "toll violations," even though Tennessee has no toll roads.
• Official Policy: Court Clerk Joseph Day confirmed that his office never sends text messages regarding tickets or court appearances.
• Visual Cues: Messages often contain typos (e.g., "reccived," "herchy"), incorrect area codes (like 331 or 479), and inaccurate court seals.

What You Should Do

1. Do Not Click or Scan: Never click links or scan QR codes in unsolicited texts.
2. Delete and Block: Delete the message immediately and block the sender's number.
3. Verify Independently: If you believe you may have a legitimate citation, call the General Sessions Clerk directly at 615-862-5195 or visit the official Nashville court website.
4. Report the Fraud: You can report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).