Augusta, ME – Maine State Police are warning residents about a widespread scam involving fraudulent court notices being sent via text message, urging the public to avoid engaging with the messages.
Authorities say the scam involves a document made to appear as an official “Final Court-Ordered Mandatory Collection Notice” from a Maine district court, complete with a case number and judge’s name. The message allegedly directs recipients to scan a QR code or respond to resolve a supposed legal violation.
According to Maine State Police, the alert was issued today after numerous reports from individuals who said they received the suspicious texts. Officials emphasized that the messages are not legitimate and are designed to trick recipients into providing personal or financial information.
Police warn that the fraudulent notice may reference alleged violations such as parking infractions or other minor offenses, and it may threaten penalties for non-compliance. The document included in the messages often appears highly official, increasing the likelihood that recipients may believe it is authentic.
Investigators say residents should not respond to the text, click any links, or scan any QR codes included in the message. Officials reiterated that legitimate court communications are not conducted in this manner.
Maine State Police are urging anyone who receives the message to delete it immediately and report it to local law enforcement. They also encourage residents to share the warning with friends and family, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to scams.
The agency continues to monitor the situation and reminds the public to remain cautious of unsolicited messages claiming to be from government entities.
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