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What to do if…
you receive a message claiming to be from a court with a payment link and you are not sure it is real

Short answer

Don’t click the link or pay. Verify by contacting the court directly using a trusted website/phone number you look up yourself.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t click the payment link or scan any QR code in the message.
  • Don’t reply, call back, or “confirm” personal details by text/email.
  • Don’t trust caller ID, logos, seals, or official-sounding language — they can be faked.
  • Don’t pay using hard-to-reverse methods commonly demanded by scammers (gift cards, crypto, wire transfers) or under threats of immediate arrest.

What to do now

  1. Stop and preserve evidence safely: take a screenshot of the message (sender + link), then do not interact with it further.
  2. Verify independently (use a trusted source you find yourself):
    • Look up your local court’s official website (state/county judiciary site) and use the clerk’s published phone number or the court’s official case/payment portal to ask whether you actually owe anything.
    • If the message mentions jury duty, treat it as a scam until the court confirms it. (Scammers commonly use “missed jury duty” threats.)
  3. Report it:
    • Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) and/or use your phone’s “report junk” feature.
    • Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  4. If you clicked the link or entered information:
    • Call your bank/card issuer immediately and ask them to block the card, stop payments, and monitor for fraud.
    • Secure your email account first (change password + turn on two-factor authentication), then change any reused passwords.
    • If you shared sensitive identity info (like SSN), consider a fraud alert or credit freeze:
      • Fraud alert: contact one credit bureau (they must notify the other two).
      • Credit freeze: place it separately with all three bureaus.
      • Both are free and are outlined via FTC/IdentityTheft.gov guidance.
  5. If someone is actively pressuring you right now: hang up/stop replying. Then contact the court using a number you looked up independently. If you feel threatened or in immediate danger, use emergency services.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to decide whether to pay anything until you confirm there is a real case or balance due.
  • You don’t need to argue with the sender or try to “get them to admit it.”
  • You don’t need to do long-term paperwork unless you actually shared information or money.

Important reassurance

Scam messages often use fear words like “court,” “warrant,” or “final notice” to push fast action. Slowing down and verifying through a trusted court contact is the safest, most normal response.

Scope note

This is first-steps-only guidance to avoid paying a scammer and to stabilize your accounts. If you confirm there’s a real court matter, consider legal aid or a lawyer for next steps.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. Court processes vary by state and county. If you believe you’re in immediate danger, call emergency services.

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