ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. – Scammers are sending fake court summonses, subpoenas, and jury duty notices by text, email, and even social media messages to scare people into acting fast. They may claim you’re facing a warrant or jail time unless you pay immediately.
Remember:
Legitimate court notices are generally sent by U.S. Mail or served in person, not by text message or social media.
Courts and law enforcement will never demand immediate payment over the phone or ask you to pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps.
Be suspicious of messages containing QR codes or links claiming you must “view your summons” or “clear a violation.” These are often designed to steal your personal or financial information.
If you receive a suspicious message:
Don’t click links or scan QR codes.
Don’t call the number provided in the message.
If you’re concerned the notice may be legitimate, contact your local courthouse or law enforcement agency using an official phone number you find independently.
When in doubt, slow down, verify, and don’t let scammers pressure you into acting.