The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a warning to the public about a text message scam involving phony court appearance requests directed at the recipients.
According to Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Debra Todd, the scammers send a text message that “spoofs” or mimics the Pennsylvania Supreme Court website. The text claims the Supreme Court has scheduled a “mandatory court appearance for traffic offenses” and lists court officials as contacts.
The recipient is advised to appear in court at a specific date and time, with phony actions and penalties that they’ll face if they do not comply. The text includes a fake link that the recipient is instructed to use to pay a fee.
Todd reminded residents that the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania or the Pennsylvania Courts will never place calls or send text messages soliciting payment by credit card, gift card or any other electronic transfer for any reason.
“Should you receive a text message from a number or an individual claiming to be involved with or calling from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania requesting money or payment of fines, fees or court costs, please do not provide any sensitive information or forms of payment of any kind,” the court said in a press release.
Anyone who receives a text of this nature should hang up immediately and contact State or local police, as well as the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection at (800) 441-2555 or scams@attorneygeneral.gov.