Will the police ever text me?

While some police forces might use texts for community alerts or case updates if you have already lodged a report, they will never text you a direct hyperlink demanding credit card payment for a fine.

How do I check if I actually have a real fine?

Go directly to your state government's official revenue office website (e.g., Service NSW, Fines Victoria) by typing the address into your browser, and enter your license or registration details to check for legitimate outstanding fines.

I already paid the fake fine. What should I do?

Contact your bank or credit card provider immediately and explain you were the victim of fraud. They can often reverse the charges and issue you a new card to prevent further theft.

Police Fine Scam Checker

Police fine scam checker for fake infringement notices.

Got a text message or email claiming you have an unpaid traffic fine, or an urgent warning from the Australian Federal Police (AFP)? Stop. Police agencies do not send initial infringement notices demanding payment via SMS with a link.

Security Insight

Scammers use the authority of the police to induce immediate panic. Threats of arrest or escalating fines cause victims to pay hastily without verifying the claim.

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Detecting fake police alerts

Attackers exploit the fear of legal trouble. Watch out for these extremely common law enforcement impersonation scams.

The fake speed camera SMS

An unsolicited text message claiming your vehicle was caught speeding and providing a link to 'pay the infringement' to avoid license points.

AFP subpoena emails

An email pretending to be the Australian Federal Police, claiming you are summoned to court, with a malicious PDF attachment attached as a 'subpoena'.

Arrest warrant phone calls

A robotic voice message claiming there is a warrant out for your arrest due to tax fraud or money laundering, demanding you press 1 to speak to an officer.

Demands for unusual payment methods

Police will never ask you to pay a fine using iTunes gift cards, Bitcoin, or wire transfers to personal accounts.

What IsThisSpam checks before you trust a sender

Quick verdicts are useful, but the real value is understanding why something looks safe, uncertain, or risky.

Links via SMS

State revenue offices and police do not randomly text you a link to a payment portal as their primary contact method.

High-pressure urgency

Scam messages force immediate action—'Pay within 2 hours or police will be dispatched to your location'.

Non-government URLs

If the linked website does not end in an official government domain (.gov.au), it is highly likely to be a scam.

Lack of specific details

A real fine will list your actual vehicle registration, the exact location and time of the offense. Scams are usually vague.

Related guides

Use the checker for the fast answer, then read the deeper guidance for recurring scam patterns.

Fake Court Notice Scam Checker

Police scams often overlap with fake legal and court penalty notices.

Read the guide

Most Common Scams People Fall For

Understand broader scam playbooks and fear-based extortion tactics.

Read the guide

FAQ

These are the questions people usually ask right before they click, reply, or pay.

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