Residents of Albuquerque are being warned by the Second Judicial District Court about a fraudulent text message scam that falsely claims recipients must appear in court for traffic violations. These messages, which are not legitimate, are designed to deceive individuals into paying fines or clicking on harmful links.

Details of the Scam

The scam involves text messages that threaten recipients with arrest, loss of driving privileges, vehicle impoundment, wage garnishment, or asset seizure if immediate payment is not made. The messages include links urging recipients to take urgent action and submit payment to avoid penalties.

Court officials emphasize that the Second Judicial District Court does not send text messages requesting payment or threatening legal consequences. They also clarify that the court does not contact individuals by phone or text to notify them of violations or collect fines. All official court communications are sent through the mail.

What to Do if You Receive a Suspicious Message

Anyone who receives suspicious messages is encouraged to verify directly with the Second Judicial District Court or visit the official court website at seconddistrict.nmcourts.gov. This verification step is crucial to avoid falling victim to these scams.

Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.