HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Harris County Sheriff's Office are investigating a widespread text message scam involving payment demands for toll fees and traffic violations.
Officials say the messages falsely claim to be from the Harris County District Clerk's Office (DCO) and direct recipients to a fake website designed to look like the official DCO site. The texts threaten penalties if payment is not made and prompt victims to enter sensitive personal and financial information. In some cases, victims are told their card was declined and asked to provide another, according to the DCO.
The DCO advises victims to cancel cards they tried to use for payment, and said people in other states are receiving these fraudulent texts, too.
District Clerk Marilyn Burgess stressed that her office does not request payments by text message.
"The Harris County District Clerk's Office does not send text messages requesting payment for court costs or fees. Let alone do we collect any payments for toll or traffic violations," Burgess said. "We want to make sure the public knows these messages are a scam. We urge everyone to remain vigilant and protect their personal information."
In a statement, the DCO advised the following key warnings for the public.
Key warnings for the public:
- The District Clerk's Office never requests payments via text message.
- If you receive one of these messages, do not click on any links or provide personal or financial information.
- For questions regarding our office, call our customer service line at (832) 927-5800.
- People with concerns or questions can also call the Sheriff's Office at (713) 221-6000.