HARRISBURG, Pa. — This week, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday issued a warning to Pennsylvanians about a text message and email scam involving phone messages from people claiming to represent a municipal court.
The messages claim the recipient has an unpaid parking ticket that requires immediate payment or a court appearance, Sunday said.
Many of the messages appear to come from Philadelphia Municipal Court, but the scam may impersonate other courts or government agencies, according to Sunday.
The messages warn of consequences for non-payment, including additional fines, driver’s license suspension or court enforcement action.
Residents should know that government agencies do not conduct official business through unsolicited text messages, and most do not communicate by email unless the recipient has specifically requested email correspondence, Sunday said.
“Scammers rely on fear, urgency and embarrassment to pressure people into acting quickly,” Sunday said. “Before responding to any messages like this, take a moment to verify its legitimacy. If you’re unsure, do not click any links. Ask a trusted loved one for help or contact my office to report the potential scam.”
The fraudulent messages frequently include a link directing recipients to make a payment, according to Sunday. Recipients should not click on the link or copy it into their web browsers.
Any unsolicited or suspicious text messages or emails should be reported as spam or junk through the recipient’s phone or email provider. Consumers can also block the number or email address to prevent further contact from the scammer.
Anyone who has received one of these scam messages should file a complaint – including a copy of the email or text message received – to the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection online, by phone at 1-800-441-2555 or by emailing [email protected].
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