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.
-
Nearly two centuries ago, in the 1850s, close to a dozen Middle Eastern cameleers helped ex-naval officer-turned-explorer Edward Fitzgerald Beale lead a caravan of camels through the arid American Southwest. -
Arizona currently has more than 100 specialty license plates — ranging from those for Arizona’s universities to its pro sports teams to causes like childhood cancer research, first responders and Alzheimer’s research. -
As temperatures continue to rise in Arizona, electric vehicles and hybrid efficiency could take a hit, according to a new study from AAA. -
The accident occurred about a half mile east of Highway 160 and state Route 98 near Shonto in Navajo County. This is the first reported incident since hauling along the 300-mile interstate route began nearly two years ago. -
Most people who have driven the reversible lanes on Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street in central Phoenix have an opinion about them. Now the city wants to hear from those drivers.
