Scam Alert: Sacramento Superior Court

Text Scam Alert

Sacramento Superior Court has been notified of an active “smishing” campaign in California. Smishing is a cybercrime in which text messages are sent pretending to be from reputable companies to convince individuals to share personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, and install malicious software via links attached to the message received by the targeted individual.

The court has become aware that text messages impersonating court staff and trusted court organizations meant to trick message recipients have been circulating. The court asks the public to be mindful of text messages received from unfamiliar numbers and scrutinize them carefully. As a precaution, if you receive a smishing message:

Do not click on any links or attachments in the message.

Do not reply to the sender.

Delete the message, report it to junk/spam, or block the number.

Jury Duty Scam Alert

Prospective jurors are never contacted by email or telephone for failure to serve jury duty. Anyone who receives an email or telephone calls is asked to contact the fraud unit of their local law enforcement agency to file a report and the Sacramento County Jury Commissioner's Office at 916-874-7775.

Jury Summons are only sent via the U.S. Postal Service never via text message.

Telephone and Email Scam Alert

The Sacramento Superior Court is advising the public that telephone and email communications warning of a pending case or arrest warrant against an individual or demanding money or personal information may not be from the court or its authorized collection vendors.

Some of these fake communications made by email could contain an attachment or a link that may install a virus or other spyware on the computer. Other telephone communications make fraudulent demands to pay fines or fees or provide personal information, such as a Social Security number.

The public should be aware that such scams are occurring.

The Court uses vendors to collect on certain delinquent fees and fines. To confirm an inquiry about delinquent court-ordered debt, you can call GC Services at 1-800-333-8395, or (Spanish) 1-800-616-6007; or the Department of Revenue Recovery at 1-916-845-7500.

Anyone with questions about a suspicious communication that appears to be from Sacramento Superior Court should contact the court. A directory of Court phone numbers is on the website at https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/general/court-phone.aspx.