L.A. County Sheriff’s Department advising against fake ‘traffic court case’ scam texts
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials are informing the public about the recent wave of scam messages in which scammers are sending fake court notices to people’s phones.
The messages include a purported case number for an unresolved traffic ticket and request payment information for the non-existent outstanding balance; otherwise the defrauded person would have to “go to court”.
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Inside an Instagram postSome messages even threatened additional penalties, including fines, license suspension or “further legal action,” LASD said.
LA Sheriff’s Department advises against fake ‘traffic case’ scam messages. (IG/@lasdhq)
But this is all a scam and MPs are now urging anyone who receives this text, or anything like it, not to click on it, respond or enter any information.
Instead the texts should be deleted immediately.
“Think you’ve received a court notice? Think again. Scammers are sending fake ‘traffic case’ texts designed to scare you into clicking a link,” LASD said, advising anyone with doubts about their status to contact the court directly.
Another local law enforcement agency, the Baldwin Park Police Department, I went to social media on Saturday spreading awareness of the same trend in their communities.
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