Virginia Beach, VA – A new scam mimicking court traffic notices is targeting residents, prompting a law enforcement warning.
According to the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office, scammers are sending fake “Notice of Hearing – Traffic Violation” messages that appear to come from official Virginia courts. The messages often include detailed formatting, case numbers, and a QR code directing recipients to pay an alleged fine.
Authorities say the notices are fraudulent and designed to trick individuals into sending money or providing personal information. The documents falsely reference violations such as unpaid tolls or parking infractions and may list court locations, dates, and fabricated judge names.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that legitimate courts do not request payment through unsolicited text messages or QR codes. Residents are urged not to scan the codes, click links, or respond to these messages.
According to officials, similar scams have been reported in multiple jurisdictions, indicating a broader effort targeting drivers across Virginia. Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the origin of the messages.
The impact may be significant for commuters and young drivers, who are more likely to receive or respond to digital notifications about traffic violations.
Anyone who receives a suspicious message is encouraged to delete it and report the incident to local authorities or the Federal Trade Commission. Officials also advise verifying any legal notice directly through official court websites or phone numbers.
The Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office urged residents to share the warning to help prevent further victims.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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