Judge David Thompson Scam Text Message - Beware

Details of the Scam

• The Message: You receive a text claiming you have a "mandatory court appearance" or a "final court summons" for an unpaid traffic violation.
• The Content: It typically lists Judge David Thompson and Clerk Maria Gonzalez (or Elena Vargas).
• The Threat: The message warns that failure to pay or appear will result in a warrant, license suspension, and additional late fees (often cited as $185).
• The Goal: It directs you to a fraudulent link or QR code designed to steal your payment information or personal data.

Red Flags

• Text Communication: Legitimate courts almost never send summonses or demand fine payments via text message.
• Suspicious Links: Scammers use lookalike domains (e.g., ending in .life or .one) rather than official government .gov websites.
• Immediate Payment Demands: Use of high-pressure tactics and urgent threats is a classic sign of fraud.

What to Do

1. Do not click any links or scan any QR codes in the message.
2. Do not reply to the text (even with "A" or "C" as requested).
3. Delete and Report: Delete the message and use your phone's built-in feature to report it as spam.
4. Verify: If you are genuinely concerned about a ticket, look up the official phone number for your local Arkansas District Court or the Baxter County Clerk's Office and call them directly.