Traffic Court Text Scam - How to Protect Yourself

How the Scam Works

• The Hook: You receive a text message disguised as an "official" court enforcement notice or Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) alert.
• The Tactics: The texts use highly urgent language, mention fake citation or case numbers, and often include a spoofed website, a QR code, or an email to "pay now".
• The Goal: Clicking the link directs you to a fake website designed to steal your credit card details, Social Security number, and other personal information.

Key Red Flags

• Courts and DMVs do not text. Legitimate government agencies, law enforcement, and traffic courts do not send text messages demanding payment or threatening you with an arrest warrant or license suspension.
• Out-of-state claims: Many people receive these texts for jurisdictions or states they have never even visited.
• Urgency: If the message forces you to act instantly and scares you, it is highly likely to be a scam.

If You Received This Text

1. Do not click links: Avoid clicking on any suspicious links or scanning QR codes in the message.
2. Do not reply: Do not respond to the text or provide any personal or financial details.
3. Delete the message: Simply delete the text from your device.
4. Report the number: Forward the spam text message to 7726 (SPAM) to help your carrier block the sender.
5. Verify directly: If you genuinely believe you might have an outstanding ticket, contact your local municipal or district court or your state's DMV directly using official contact details. You can look up your local courthouse using trusted directories like the National Center for State Courts.