Texarkana Police Warn Public About New “Court Notice” Text Scam

The Texarkana Texas Police Department (TTPD) is warning residents about a new text message scam that is making the rounds and fooling people across the country.

According to TTPD, the scam involves text messages claiming to be a “Notice of Default” that appear to come from an actual court. The messages often look very official, featuring court seals, a judge’s name, a case number, and even a signature.

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Texarkana Police Say These Are Fake

Police report the scam is not limited to Texarkana. Similar messages are being sent nationwide, with scammers simply changing the court name and appearance to make the notice look local and legitimate.

How the Text Scam Works

The messages are designed to create urgency and pressure recipients into acting quickly. Many claim a court date is scheduled for the next day or demand immediate action. Urgency is always one of the keys to these scams.

What Are The Common Red Flags?

Some of the common things to look for include:

• Courts do not send legal notices by text message.
• Real courts will never ask you to scan a QR code for payment.
• Messages often push urgency, such as a court date “tomorrow.”
• Court names may look familiar, but are often altered.

What You Should Do

The Texarkana Texas Police Department urges residents to:

• Avoid scanning any QR codes included in the message.
• Do not call the phone numbers listed in the text message.
• Verify any legal notice by contacting the court directly using official contact information.

Police remind the public that scammers are becoming more sophisticated, but legitimate court systems do not operate this way.

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Anyone unsure about a message is encouraged to double-check before taking action and to report suspicious activity. Officials also recommend sharing the warning with others to help prevent more people from falling victim to the scam.

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