Pay Up, You’re in Trouble: Attorney General Bonta Warns Californians of Court Notice Scams

Scams allege you owe money for a traffic or toll ticket and demand immediate payment

OAKLAND - California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert, warning Californians to beware of a scam involving fake court notices that demand payment from recipients. These notices, often received via text or email, state that there is an outstanding traffic or toll violation and instruct recipients to pay a fine or appear in court or face other penalties. These notices are scams. Courts will not text, call, or email you to ask for money. If you receive this type of notice, do not access the QR code, click on any hyperlinks, or attempt to make a payment. Instead, check directly with the court that allegedly sent the notice to confirm that no case exists and no payment is required.

"Californians, beware of scam notices claiming to come from California courts and asking you to make a traffic or toll ticket payment or face the consequences. Courts will never text, call, or email to ask for money," said Attorney General Bonta. "If you receive a text or email asking you for payment or personal information, pause and assess the message - scammers will weaponize urgency and make you feel like you are in the wrong and need to act immediately. Be suspicious of texts or emails asking you for personal information or money. No matter how official-looking they might seem, always double-check the status of traffic tickets directly with the court at courts.ca.gov/find-my-court. Stay safe, California!"

If You Receive a Possible Scam Text:

• DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK.
• File a complaint with the FBI, the Federal Trade Commission, and/or our office. Be sure to include the phone number from which the text originated and the website listed within the text.
• Delete the scam texts received.
• Secure your personal information and financial accounts. If you clicked any link or provided your information, take efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts. Dispute any unfamiliar charges.

Courts Will Never:

• Ask for payment by text, phone, or email.
• Ask for your credit card or bank account information by text or email.
• Send links to pay tickets by text.

How to Safely Check a Traffic Ticket:

• On your local court's traffic website.
• By logging into your court's traffic case portal.
• By calling the court directly using a trusted number. Only pay through the official court website or in person at the courthouse.

Attorney General Bonta has previously warned Californians of text-based scams, including toll charge, parking, and package delivery scams. To report a scam to the Attorney General, visit oag.ca.gov/contact/general-contact-form.