Albuquerque Court Warns of Scam Involving Fake Traffic Fines

Residents receive fraudulent text messages demanding payment to avoid penalties

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico is alerting the public about a new scam involving text messages that falsely claim recipients owe outstanding traffic fines. The court says it does not contact people by text or phone about unpaid fines, and the payment links in the messages are not associated with the court system.

Why it matters

This scam could trick unsuspecting residents into paying fraudulent fines, potentially costing them money and causing further legal issues. The court is trying to get ahead of the scam to protect the community from falling victim.

The details

The Metropolitan Court says it has received numerous reports of people receiving text messages stating they have unpaid traffic fines and must submit payment within two days or face additional fines, license suspension, and court enforcement. However, the court confirms these text messages and payment links are not legitimate and are part of a scam targeting residents.

  • The court began receiving reports of the scam text messages on February 12, 2026.

The players

Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court

The local court system in Albuquerque, New Mexico that is warning residents about the traffic fine scam.

Lissa Quintana

The Court Executive Officer at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.

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What they’re saying

“The Metropolitan Court does not contact individuals by text message nor phone if they owe outstanding fines – that would only be communicated through the regular mail.”

— Lissa Quintana, Court Executive Officer (newsradiokkob.com)

What’s next

The Metropolitan Court is urging residents to be cautious of any unsolicited text messages or calls claiming they owe traffic fines, and to only make payments through official court channels.

The takeaway

This scam highlights the importance of verifying the legitimacy of any communication from government agencies before providing personal information or making payments. Residents should be wary of unsolicited messages demanding immediate action to avoid penalties.