STV NewsScots have been warned to ignore scam text messages telling them they can pay to avoid jury duty.
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals (SCTS) has urged awareness of the fraud.
“We’ve been informed members of the public have received scam emails purporting to be about jury citation and requesting payment for excusal,” it said on social media.
“SCTS does not issue jury citations by text or email and these should be ignored. If you’re worried about possible fraud contact the police.”
The message appears as a normal text message from an unknown number, claiming that the recipient has been summoned to jury duty.
It encourages them to click a link to “confirm or opt-out” attendance.
They’re then redirected to a web page which asks for personal details to be submitted, including bank details and home addresses.
This information can be utilised by the hacker to steal money from the bank accounts of those targeted.
Other scams going around include fake parking fines, demanding £25 via a link.
No vehicle details are given in the emails, only indicating that it occurred in the UK.
The email seems to have been sent by the HM Courts and Tribunals Service, yet on closer inspection comes from a random email address.
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