ST PAUL, Minn. (May 8, 2026) — A new text scam demanding payment for an outstanding traffic ticket is making its way across Minnesota.
The texts look “official," with stylized graphics and wording that says:
The Civil Enforcement Department of the Minnesota District Court has issued an official summons regarding your unpaid traffic violation.
The texts also include a judge’s name, a clerk’s name, citation and case numbers, and a website people are instructed to click on "to resolve this matter.”
DO NOT FALL FOR THIS SCAM!
Neither the Minnesota Judicial Branch nor law enforcement will ever text or call you to demand money for a traffic fine.
If you receive a text that says you have an outstanding ticket and need to pay a fine:
- Do not click on any links.
- Do not give out your credit card number or make any payment.
- Do not share any personal information, such as your social security number.
- Report the call to your local law enforcement agency.
If you have fallen victim to this scam, file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.