Scam texts for fake traffic violations send dozens to courthouse

• The texts said immediate action was required and gave recipients the option of either scanning a QR code to pay their fines or appearing in court.

Many recipients decided that they'd rather spend time than money, and showed up at the courthouse for nonexistent hearings.

• 38 people came to Maricopa County Superior Court for hearings in the nonexistent "traffic division" on Wednesday and more showed up Thursday, court spokesperson Vincent Funari told Axios.
• None of the people who came to court reported paying or scanning the QR codes, he said.

Yes, but: There could be others who paid the fake fines rather than come to court, Funari said.

Threat level: The court issued a public warning Wednesday along with some pointers about how to spot a scam:

• Courts will never ask for payment over the phone or via email.
• Only scammers ask for payments through gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps or cryptocurrency.
• Courts won't ask for sensitive information like Social Security numbers over the phone.

And don't download messages or scan QR codes from the scam texts, the court warned.