State of New York Notice of Default Scam

 

Overview of the Scam

The Commission has been made aware of a scam in which individuals receive fraudulent demands for fine payment, typically by email or text message. These fake demands have included the Commission’s phone number and are designed to look like official communications from a court. They are not legitimate. 

Important Reminder About Court Communications

Please be advised that New York courts do not impose fines by text message, email or social media, nor do they request personal or financial information through these channels. Any such communication should be treated as suspicious. 

How to Verify a Suspicious Message

If you receive an email or text message that appears to be from a court and seems questionable, we urge you to contact the clerk of your local court to verify its authenticity. You can locate your local court by visiting the New York Court Sytem’s Court Locator.

The Commission on Judicial Conduct is an independent agency and is not part of the New York State Unified Court System. Because of this, the Commission cannot verify whether an individual has any matter or fines pending before a court.

Protect Yourself

If you believe you have received a fraudulent message, do not click on any links, scan a QR code, or provide any personal information. When in doubt, contact your local court directly for confirmation, or call the court system at 1-800-Court-NY (1-800-268-7869).

 If you have fallen victim to this scam, please report it to ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Example Scam Communication

Linked below is an example of a fraudulent “Notice of Default” message that has circulated.

Example: Scam Text or Email