Valley court officials warns of scammers demanding payment for traffic fines and fees

PHOENIX — Scammers are targeting metro Phoenix residents with fake messages demanding payment for bogus fines and fees, officials said.

The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County issued a warning Tuesday about a growing scam involving texts and emails that claim recipients owe money for tolls, speeding tickets or parking violations.

The messages often threaten consequences if payment isn’t made before a 9 a.m. hearing the next day.

In Maricopa County, the scam includes claims that the messages come from a “Superior Court Traffic Division.”

However, officials said no such division exists.

Thirty-two people targeted by the scam showed up for court Wednesday morning, officials said.

Delete any message from the ‘Superior Court Traffic Division,’ as it’s not real

The Judicial Branch includes Superior Court, Adult Probation and Juvenile Probation — along with juvenile detention — and would never demand payment through threatening messages or ask people to scan QR codes to resolve fines.

Officials urge residents to ignore these messages and avoid clicking links, downloading attachments or scanning QR codes, as they could contain malware designed to infect their devices and steal personal information.

Another red flag is that scammers demand immediate payment through cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency or a wire transfer service — all methods that are difficult to trace.

Officials said courts will never ask for immediate payment by phone or by mail. They also won’t ask for sensitive personal information, such as a Social Security number, over the phone.

Related

Talking behind someone's back can be harassment, Arizona Supreme Court rulesArizona Supreme Court introduces 2 AI-generated news reportersPedestrian left in critical condition after hit-and-run in west PhoenixDeveloper selected to create main street district in Peoria master-planned communityWeekend wrap: Here are the biggest Arizona news stories from July 31-Aug. 2Arizona man accused of luring minors for sexual exploitation