The San Diego Superior Court is renewing calls for the public to beware of increasingly sophisticated and convincing scams.

Recent incidents this week include fraudulent court notices and orders sent to individuals in order to induce the intended victim to make payments to the perpetrator. In one case, the perpetrator provided a fraudulent court notice/order indicating there was an outstanding arrest warrant against the individual and requested payment to clear the warrant. In another instance, the perpetrator pretended to initiate a court case on behalf of the intended victim and sought payment for their services.

Avoid falling victim to these scams by identifying red flags and reviewing official court records to verify the authenticity of information.

• Search for court cases by name or case number in the online Court Index. Legitimate court documents will include a case number.
• The Court conducts all official correspondence via U.S. mail or, in some instances, by E-Service (e-mail notices when a party has opted in to receive notices electronically).
• The Court does not make telephone calls or send text messages to remedy a court issue or fine. Report persistent scammers to local law enforcement.
• If the first document you receive states that you owe a judgment, it is likely a scam.
  • In real court cases, you are notified that you’ve been sued and provided an opportunity to present your side of the case before a judgment can be entered against you.
• The Court has several payment options available and will never insist that a fine must be paid in cash.
  • In-person cash, credit card or check payments are accepted at the business offices in the courthouses
  • Checks or credit card authorizations can be mailed to the appropriate courthouses
  • In some instances, payments can be made online through the Court’s official website (sdcourt.ca.gov/makeapayment). The Court does not request or accept electronic payments through Venmo, PayPal, Zelle or other similar online payment methods.
• Additional red flags in the scam messages that further identify it as a scam:
  • Calls or text messages from out-of-state area codes
  • Incorrect logos, watermarks or addresses, odd document formatting, misspellings, etc. 

Examples of additional known scam attempts from earlier this year:

• Text messages were sent to an individual stating that there are overdue Traffic Court fees in their name, and if they do not pay the fees in a certain manner, additional action will be taken.
  • The Court does not send text messages and offers several different payment options.
• Text messages sent stating that a Family Court hearing is scheduled and the individual must attend virtually.
  • The Court does not send text messages and offers virtual appearances as an option in most cases; in-person appearances are always permitted.
• Telephone calls were made by a person identifying themselves as a law enforcement officer, stating that the individual has been ordered to pay a fee for failing to appear for jury duty, as well as a fine for contempt of court, and a warrant has been issued for their arrest. The scammer then gave the individual a new date to appear for jury duty, but stated that they needed to meet first so that they can pay their fine. The scammer instructed the individual to go to a convenience store to get a money order because the Court supposedly does not accept cash, checks or credit cards. Finally, the individual was told to bring the money and meet with the officer at the courthouse. Other individuals were told to report to the Sheriff’s Office, but to meet someone outside the office.
  • The Court does not make demand telephone calls and will never require that you meet with a specific person to provide payment or provide payment in a specific manner.
• Telephone calls were made from someone identifying themselves as a court clerk, telling individuals they had an outstanding warrant fine that needed to be paid in cash. Some individuals were instructed to report to a courthouse and meet a court clerk at a kiosk in the courthouse.
  • The Court does not make demand telephone calls and will never require that you meet with a specific person to provide payment or provide payment in a specific manner.

Please contact the Court directly with concerns about the legitimacy of any documents or messages received. Phone lines are staffed from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. (phone numbers) and courthouses are open from 7:30 – 4:30 p.m. (locations). Find official Court information at www.sdcourt.ca.gov.