Text messages claiming to be from the “New York State Criminal Court” are raising alarms among residents, warning of costly car violations and even threatening a court date. But there’s one major problem: the case doesn’t exist.

For some, the message looked convincing enough to spark immediate concern.

"Oh, my gosh - like how do they get away with doing stuff like that?" said resident Debbie Buchman.

Many residents say this seemingly simple text sent them rushing to the courthouse, only to discover it was all part of a scam.

“I was also receiving text messages, like there’s a link for this information. People really need to spread more awareness," said Afsham, another resident.

Scams like these are far from rare.

In 2024 alone, Americans lost more than $12 billion to fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission, with a significant portion involving imposters posing as government agencies or trusted brands.

"They get people to have, like, tunnel vision and feel that the only way to resolve the issue is to do what the scammer wants," said resident Mark Torres. "Unless you can prove to me what you're saying, I ain't got no time for you."

As these scams become increasingly sophisticated, authorities are urging the public to stay vigilant. The NYPD’s 102nd Precinct is warning residents not to engage with suspicious messages like these - especially those that include QR codes or payment links, and to delete them immediately.

"I think unfortunately, that's the age we live in, and we just have to educate people and let them know to be careful," Buchman added.

NYPD officials say if you receive a suspicious text or email asking for money, do not respond. Instead, report it through official channels to help prevent others from becoming victims.