Chicago, IL – Officials in Cook County are warning residents about a scam circulating through text messages and social media that falsely claims to be an official court notice demanding payment for parking or toll violations.
According to the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, the fraudulent message is designed to look like an official court document and directs recipients to scan a QR code to pay an alleged outstanding fine. Officials say the notice is not legitimate and was not issued by the Circuit Court of Cook County or the Clerk’s Office.
The scam notice allegedly mimics official court paperwork, displaying what appears to be a court seal, a case number, and references to Illinois statutes tied to parking or toll violations. The document also allegedly threatens legal consequences such as license suspension, court judgments, and additional penalties if the recipient fails to pay immediately.
Clerk Mariyana T. Spyropoulos warned residents that the Clerk’s Office does not send unsolicited notices directing people to scan QR codes to submit payments. Officials emphasized that any notice urging immediate payment through a QR code should be treated as suspicious.
The fraudulent notice allegedly instructs recipients to resolve the supposed violation by scanning a code labeled as a payment option. Authorities say this tactic is commonly used in phishing scams where criminals attempt to collect personal information or payment details.
Officials advise residents not to scan the QR code, not to provide personal or financial information, and not to make any payments tied to the message. Anyone who receives the notice is encouraged to verify any court information directly through official court channels.
Residents who believe they have received the scam message are urged to report it to local law enforcement and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. Officials say the Clerk’s Office continues working with authorities to alert the public and prevent scammers from misusing the court system’s name.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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