An example of a scam toll violation text message
Philadelphia Courts
Philadelphia, Pa. — The Philadelphia Courts have issued a statewide fraud alert about a text messaging scam purporting to be from the Traffic Division of Philadelphia Municipal Court.
The headline of the text message reads, “Notice of Hearing – TOLL VIOLATION.”
The notice falsely instructs recipients to “appear for a hearing” or resolve the matter by “payment of the assessed civil penalty… prior to the hearing date.” A QR code for providing payment is provided in the text.
According to the Philadelphia Courts, people from throughout the entirety of Pa. have received these fraudulent text messages.
The Courts strongly advise residents to IGNORE the text messages, and not to scan the QR code.
Additionally, the Courts will NEVER send text messages demanding payments for tolls, parking, or other violations. The Courts will also never request Social Security numbers or credit card information over the phone or via text.
The public is cautioned to never provide personal, banking, or credit card information via a link sent through an unknown text of phone call.
Recipients of these text messages and victims of the scam are encouraged to report it to their local police department or contact the Pa. Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by calling 800-441-2555, or contact the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov.
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