Maricopa County Superior Courts are warning residents of a scam prompting people to show up for non-existent court dates.
The scam instructs recipients to settle unpaid fines and fees with the court for traffic violations, and threatens jail time and additional fines if the balance is not paid.
The scam included instructions to appear in court at 9 a.m. on April 29, which prompted more than 30 individuals to show up at court.
Luke Emerson is the civil department administrator at Maricopa County Superior Court.
“As a court professional, it doesn't look like any court document I've ever seen,” Emerson said. “But really what's happening is they're pressuring these folks into feeling a false sense of urgency.
Emerson says people should look for red flags in these documents, such as instructions to pay via gift card.
“Anytime that you see anybody asking for payment using a gift card or a cash app or things like that, the court doesn't accept payment through those methods,” Emerson said. “The court will only ever accept payment through the court clerk. And so that's the only real way to pay any fines.”
If you receive a document from the court you suspect to be a scam, the court says to not call the number listed on the document, but contact the court directly at 602-506-3204.
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