Is this scam or true?

antrobus

Coinmachine wrote: »

I think it is highly unlikely that courts would issue fines via text messages

Courts don't issue fines via text message, however it seems that they do use text messages to chase up unpaid fines.

"Meanwhile the courts service is … trying to get people to pay their fine while still in the courts and [using] nudge techniques. We find that if you text them and use their names they are more likely to pay up - but don't tell anyone about that."

http://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/jan/31/private-debt-collectors-court-fines

Conclusion; it is likely a genuine text message, but whether or not it is directed at the right person is something else. What are the chances of some miscreant providing a false phone number when asked to supply their contact details?

DCFC79

Truthmans back.

Did you really have to ask the question, surely you know if you have any unpaid fines.

Pennywise

Have you given the court your mobile number? They won't have a central directory of peoples' mobile numbers, in the same way they don't have a central database of email addresses. If you get this kind of email or text, then it's almost certainly a scam if you know you haven't given them your mobile number/email address.

As said by others, get the proper phone number from their official website and give them a ring to confirm.

maninthestreet

So what number was the SMS sent from?

antrobus

Pennywise wrote: »

Have you given the court your mobile number? They won't have a central directory of peoples' mobile numbers, in the same way they don't have a central database of email addresses. If you get this kind of email or text, then it's almost certainly a scam if you know you haven't given them your mobile number/email address.

As said by others, get the proper phone number from their official website and give them a ring to confirm.

The number quoted by the OP - 01702 283 830 - is a proper telephone number for Southend Magistrates Court.

http://magistrates-court.co.uk/southend-magistrates-court/

This is almost certainly not a scam. Either (a) the OP has been allocated a number with their 'new sim' that was previously held by some miscreant, or (b) said miscreant supplied a false number that happens to the OP's, or (c) the OP actually has not paid an outstanding fine.

I have no idea which of these options is true.:)