ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Maryland Judiciary is cautioning residents to remain alert in the face of recurring telephone scams involving individuals impersonating court officials and threatening legal consequences in exchange for money. Recent incidents highlight the persistence of fraud schemes where scammers claim association with the judiciary to extort funds or personal information from unsuspecting victims.
The judiciary emphasized that it does not contact individuals by phone or email to demand payments or request personal information. “Courts do not request credit card or E-pay payments by email or telephone,” officials clarified. “If you receive a call or email claiming to be from a court asking for payment or personal data, do not engage.”
Recent LifeLock Alert Incident
Compounding the issue, the Maryland Judiciary pointed to a recent incident impacting users of the LifeLock Identity Theft Protection service. Numerous LifeLock members reported receiving notifications, often through email or text, with messages such as “New property detected.” According to LifeLock, the anomaly stems from its internal system, which the company is actively working to fix.
For those affected or those with concerns about this notification, LifeLock has advised contacting their customer support at 1-800-543-3562 for assistance. The Maryland Judiciary urged vigilance and advised anyone who suspects fraudulent activity to report it promptly.
Official Guidance to Avoid Scams
The judiciary underscored that courts do not employ communication methods such as phone calls or emails to solicit financial information. Residents are encouraged to be wary of any such requests and refrain from disclosing personal, credit card, or banking details to unknown callers or unsolicited emails.
For Maryland residents who have received suspicious communications referencing a court case or threats of arrest, the judiciary recommends reaching out directly to the District Court or circuit court in their jurisdiction. Contact details for all courts in Maryland are available through the Maryland Judiciary website’s court directory.
How to Recognize Scam Attempts
Scammers often pose as judicial employees or law enforcement officials and use intimidation tactics, such as threats of arrest for failure to appear in court, to coerce victims into making payments. The Maryland Judiciary advises the public to be particularly cautious of any unexpected correspondence that asks for payment or personal data. Residents should take note that legitimate judicial communications will not include such requests.
Reporting Suspicious Activity
The Maryland Judiciary emphasizes the importance of reporting any potentially fraudulent calls or emails to the relevant authorities. If you are uncertain about the legitimacy of a communication, contacting your local court directly is a critical step to ensure your protection. This preventative measure not only safeguards your personal information but also helps curb the spread of these scams.
As scams continue to evolve in sophistication, public awareness and education remain essential in combating fraud and protecting community members.
