Philadelphia’s court system is warning residents about a fraudulent text message that is circulating about alleged toll violations.
The bogus alert, which claims to be from the Traffic Division of the Philadelphia Municipal Court, informs people that they must pay a fine or show up for a hearing to contest their supposed offense. It includes a QR code for payment.
A court spokesperson said they have been receiving reports from across Pennsylvania of people receiving the texts.
Representatives from the First Judicial District said the court will never send a text message demanding payment for toll, parking or other violations. Officials also will not call to ask for a Social Security number or credit card information.
Recipients of the scam texts are advised not to scan the code or respond. Victims of the fraud and those who have received the messages are encouraged to contact their local police department, call the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection at 800-441-2555, or notify the Federal Trade Commission.
