ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) -
Minnesotans are reportedly receiving text messages intending to frighten them into paying money to clear warrants that do not actually exist.
State Judicial Branch courts have been taking waves of calls from citizens who received cell phone text messages notifying them that a warrant for their arrest has been issued for failure to appear in court.
The message insists recipients call a phone number to address the warrant. Upon calling the number, recipients are told they can pay $500 to quash the warrant. Some have been told the warrant was issued in response to their failure to appear for jury duty; others had no reason provided for the warrant.
The Judicial Branch warns citizens these texts are not coming from it. State court personnel insist they do not contact citizens via text or e-mail for failing to appear for jury duty. The best way to handle such texts is not to reply but to contact local law enforcement to report the fraudulent text, say Judicial Branch representatives.
