News Item

New Judicial Scams Target Minnesotans

Posted: Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Another judicial scam is making its way across Minnesota—the fourth of its kind this summer.

In the most recent swindle, scammers call from a telephone number that appears to belong to a local court. The scammer then uses the name of a real Judicial Branch employee and tells victims they have outstanding court fines they must pay.

This is a variation on other scams that have been making their way around Minnesota this summer. In the other scams, victims receive calls or texts saying they have a warrant or a traffic ticket they have to pay immediately, or that they have to pay a fine for missing jury duty.

Although the texts and calls use the names of real court employees and law enforcement officers, they are still fake. Neither the Minnesota Judicial Branch nor law enforcement will ever text or call you to demand money for a fine or a warrant. And while there can be consequences for failing to appear for jury duty, such as being summoned to explain your absence, the court will never call you to demand money or ask for your credit card or Social Security number.

If you receive a phone call or a text like these, do NOT click on any links or give anyone your credit card or other financial information.

If you fell victim to a scam like this, file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.