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Scam threatens jail over fake court fees

Posted at 6:20 PM, May 02, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-02 21:46:34-04

Maricopa County Superior Court officials are warning of a scam that convinces people to pay to settle court cases that they don't have.

Scammers contact potential victims through phone and email, and use threats of prosecution or jail if they don't pay up or give up sensitive information immediately.

County court officials say contact from them almost always comes through the mail. And that they "do not require anyone to provide any sensitive information in a telephone call or email"

But here's the scary part--most courts really do allow you to pay fines over the phone. You have to make sure that money is going to the right place.

So if you get a call or email about a court date:

-Ask which court the case is in

-Get a case number

-Call the phone number listed on the courts website to confirm whether or not you have an open case

A lot of these fines can be taken care of online too.

Link to: Maricopa County Justice Court paymentsMaricopa County Superior Court payments.

Need my help?

Call the Assistance League of Phoenix volunteers at 1-855-323-1515.

You can also send me an email joe@abc15.com or a video email where you attach a video explaining the problem.

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