Wake County officials warned residents on March 24 that text messages claiming to be from the Wake County District Court about outstanding traffic violations are a scam.
The warning is important because scammers are using convincing tactics, including referencing real judges or law enforcement officers and local locations, to make their messages appear legitimate. These scams can put residents at risk of financial loss and identity theft.
According to the announcement, the fraudulent texts state that recipients must pay a fine or appear in court to avoid penalties. Officials said it is a scam if payment is demanded through these communications. “Court staff and the Sheriff’s Office do not text or email citizens requesting Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, money, pre–paid debit card numbers, payments by money grams, or any other sensitive financial information,” the notice said.
Residents who receive such messages are advised not to click on any links or scan QR codes included in them. Instead, they should mark these communications as spam or junk so their service provider is aware of the scam. If there are concerns about possible outstanding issues with the court system, individuals can contact their local clerk of superior court’s office for verification.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch oversees justice administration across all 100 counties in North Carolina with more than 7,600 employees statewide. The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts provides administrative services for this branch.
