The Minnesota Judicial Branch warned on Mar. 17 that a scam is targeting Minnesotans with fraudulent messages claiming they have unpaid traffic violations and must either appear in court immediately or pay a fine. The texts appear to come from Hennepin County District Court and include the Minneapolis courthouse address.
This issue is important because it could lead residents to share personal information or make payments to scammers, putting their finances and privacy at risk. The Minnesota Judicial Branch said neither the courts nor law enforcement will ever text or call individuals to demand money for a traffic fine.
The branch advised, “Do not click on any links. Do not give out your credit card number or make any payment. Do not share any personal information, such as your social security number. Report the call to your local law enforcement agency.” Victims of this scam are encouraged to file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
The Minnesota Judicial Branch serves residents statewide by upholding the rule of law, according to the official website. It operates throughout Minnesota as the official judicial system and is dedicated to delivering fair and impartial justice across the state, according to the official website.
Transparency is promoted through public court proceedings and opinions, while public access is provided for court records, forms, and case information, according to the official website.
As scams continue to evolve, officials urge Minnesotans to remain vigilant against suspicious communications related to court matters.
