Riverside County Warns Residents About Scams Involving Property Records and Fake Traffic Tickets

Authorities advise residents to be cautious of unsolicited notices demanding payment for public records or alleged traffic violations.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:18pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled, official-looking document with a red stamp, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the investigative nature of uncovering scams.A harsh, close-up view of a suspicious official document highlights the need for vigilance against scams targeting Riverside County residents.Riverside Today

Riverside County officials are warning residents about two separate scams hitting the area. One involves private companies sending letters requesting payment for property records, while the other involves fraudsters demanding immediate payment for alleged traffic or toll tickets. Authorities advise residents to be cautious of any unsolicited notices and to always verify the legitimacy of such requests directly with the county or court before making any payments.

Why it matters

These scams target vulnerable residents and can result in financial losses. The warnings aim to raise awareness and protect the community from falling victim to these deceptive practices.

The details

The Riverside County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder's Office has received inquiries from residents who received letters from private companies requesting payment for property records, property profiles, or copies of recorded deeds. While the information in these letters may be accurate, the letters are not issued by the county office. Separately, the California Attorney General's office has uncovered a scam where fraudsters are sending text messages or emails demanding immediate payment for alleged traffic or toll violations.

  • Last week, the Riverside County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder's Office issued the warning about the property records scam.
  • On Monday, the California Attorney General's office issued a consumer alert about the fake traffic ticket scam.

The players

Peter Aldana

Riverside County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder.

Rob Bonta

California Attorney General.

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What they’re saying

“When a document is recorded with our office, that information becomes part of the public record. Some private companies use publicly available information to send letters requesting payment for copies of documents. These letters are not from our office. If you receive a notice about your property and are unsure whether it is official, contact us before sending any payment. We can verify the notice and provide official copies directly.”

— Peter Aldana, Riverside County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder

“Courts will not text, call, or email you to ask for money. If you receive this type of notice, do not access the QR code, click on any hyperlinks, or attempt to make a payment. Instead, check directly with the court that allegedly sent the notice to confirm that no case exists and no payment is required.”

— Rob Bonta, California Attorney General

What’s next

Residents who have questions about a notice related to their property are encouraged to contact the Riverside County Assessor-Clerk-Recorder's Office before submitting payment or sharing personal information. For assistance, they can call (951) 955-6200 or visit www.rivcoacr.org.

The takeaway

These scams highlight the importance of verifying the legitimacy of any unsolicited requests for payment or personal information, especially when it comes to official government records or alleged legal violations. Residents should always double-check directly with the relevant authorities before responding to such notices to avoid falling victim to these deceptive practices.