Scammers are finding new ways to target consumers with fraudulent messages and calls pretending to come from the courts. The North Carolina Judicial Branch has launched a public awareness initiative to help people recognize and avoid these scams—and we’re sharing this information with our Shop Local Raleigh community so businesses and consumers alike can help spread the word.
Know the Signs of a Court-Related Scam
Recent scams have included:
- ⚖️ Fake jury duty notices
- 📅 Claims about missed court dates
- 💳 Requests for immediate payment or financial information
- 📞 Fraudulent calls, texts, emails, or other communications pretending to be from the courts
These scams often create a sense of urgency. Scammers may threaten fines, arrest, or other consequences if a person doesn’t pay immediately or provide personal or financial information.
🛑 How Local Businesses Can Help
Local businesses have an important opportunity to help protect their customers, employees, and communities by sharing information about these scams.
If your business has an ATM, the North Carolina Judicial Branch especially encourages you to:
- ✅ Download and print the official fraud prevention flyers.
- ✅ Display the flyers prominently, preferably near your ATM.
- ✅ Share information about court-related scams with your customers, employees, and associates.
- ✅ Encourage other businesses and organizations in your network to do the same.
Download the Official Fraud Prevention Flyers
The North Carolina Judicial Branch has created resources that businesses can print and display:
Know the Signs. Stop the Scam.
Whether you’re a business owner or a consumer, one of the best ways to protect yourself is to stop and verify before sending money or sharing personal or financial information in response to an unexpected court-related communication.
If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from the courts, don’t let pressure or threats rush you into making a payment. Take a moment to verify the information through official channels.
For more information about the initiative and additional resources, visit the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s official press release.
Thank you to our local businesses and community members for helping spread the word and protect one another from fraud. By staying informed and sharing important information, we can help make our community safer for everyone.
