Marylanders, take note: if you've received a text claiming you have an unpaid parking ticket, be wary – it's likely a scam. The Maryland Judiciary has issued a warning, advising the public to be on high alert for fraudulent messages alleging "Notice of Default — Unpaid Parking Fine," which have been circulating and directing recipients to fraudulent links or even instructing them to appear at the Baltimore City District Court.
These deceiving messages may threaten recipients with consequences like court enforcement, license suspension, and harm to both credit and personal records, yet the state courts have made clear they do not solicit payments or personal information via text, telephone, or email so if you've been targeted by this hoax, never click the suggested link and don't even think about giving out any financial or sensitive data, and the question of legitimacy should arise, you can reach out to the Maryland Judiciary's website for accurate court contact information since over 20 individuals, trusting the authenticity of such texts, have wrongly turned up at the courthouse seeking resolution for these false claims; the scam hit the radar of judiciary personnel after receiving numerous calls and visits from concerned citizens.
Terri Charles, a spokesperson for the Maryland Judiciary, confirmed to The Banner that while they are not aware of any victims who have lost money or given away personal information to the scam thus far, it remains a pressing concern. However, for those who truly do have parking tickets to their name, there are official sites to address them safely online, ranging from Anne Arundel County to Montgomery County, all of which are detailed on The Banner's report.
If you're uncertain about whether you've encountered a scam, help is available via the Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protective Division hotline at 410-528-8662 or toll-free at 888-743-0023, and as per FOX Baltimore, don't hesitate to reach out, the scam messages often include misleading claims, such as having a "poor Social Security Number (SSN) record" as a consequence of inaction, an evident falsity aiming to leverage fear and urgency as tools for deceit.
