Maryland residents are reporting a new scam text message claiming they owe an unpaid parking fine and must pay immediately or appear in court. The messages are designed to look official, sometimes even referencing Maryland and the MVA, and create urgency by threatening penalties such as license suspension, court action, or damage to a “SSN record.”
The scam text typically arrives from an unfamiliar phone number and states that a parking citation has gone unpaid. It directs recipients to click a link that appears to reference Maryland but actually leads to a suspicious website. In some cases, phones automatically flag the link with a “Deceptive Website Warning,” alerting users that the site may attempt to steal personal or financial information.
Several red flags stand out. Maryland courts and transportation agencies do not notify drivers of parking violations or court dates by unsolicited text message. Official notices are sent by mail and include specific details such as a citation number, license plate, and clear instructions on how to respond through verified government channels. The scam messages rely on vague language, generic threats, and a sense of urgency to pressure people into clicking quickly without verifying the claim.
Another common warning sign is the web address itself. While the message may include the word “maryland,” the domain does not match any official state website. Legitimate Maryland government sites end in “.gov,” not unfamiliar extensions. The inclusion of alarming consequences like license suspension or damage to a Social Security record is also a tactic scammers use to frighten recipients into compliance.
Anyone who receives a message like this should not click the link, should not provide personal or payment information, and should delete the text. If there is concern about a real parking citation, the safest step is to check directly through official local government or court websites by navigating there manually, not through a link in a message. Residents can also report scam texts to their mobile carrier and to state or federal consumer protection agencies to help prevent others from being targeted.
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Montgomery County, MD
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