Update, 3 p.m. March 20: CPD clarified that the clerks at the Clarksville Municipal Court will send text messages if you fail to appear in court or if you miss a payment. However, all payments must be handled in person or on the city courts website. They do not ask for or accept payments over the phone.

Previously:

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville Police Department is warning residents about a new scam making the rounds in Middle Tennessee – one that looks official, sounds urgent and claims to come straight from the courts.

In a Facebook post Thursday, CPD said scammers are texting people while pretending to be with the Davidson County General Sessions Court, telling them they have an outstanding traffic violation and must respond immediately. CPD said the scam hasn’t been reported in Montgomery County yet, but “it may only be a matter of time” before someone tries the same tactic locally.

The text messages often look polished and legitimate, police said, but the department stressed that no court in Tennessee will ever text you about a traffic citation. “You will not receive a text message from any court system about a traffic violation period,” CPD wrote in its Facebook post. “This is a scam.”

Police shared an image of one of the fraudulent texts, provided by a Clarksville resident who occasionally does business in Davidson County.

What CPD wants residents to know

According to the department, here are the red flags to watch out for:

  • Courts do not call or text demanding payment over the phone.
  • Never give personal or financial information to unsolicited messages.
  • If something feels off, hang up or ignore the message and verify through official channels.
  • Do not click any links or call any numbers in the text.

Scammers often rely on fear and urgency, especially when impersonating law enforcement or the courts. CPD is asking residents to share the warning with the family members, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to fraud.

“Stay safe and stay alert,” the department said.

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