Marietta, OH – Authorities in southeast Ohio are warning residents about a new scam involving fraudulent court documents that appear to demand payment for alleged traffic violations.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the scam surfaced this week and involves a document designed to resemble an official notice from an Ohio municipal court. The notice claims to be a “Final Notice — Court Enforcement Action” tied to unpaid traffic violations and threatens legal consequences if immediate action is not taken.
The document reportedly lists violations such as toll evasion, parking infractions, and speeding, while citing Ohio statutes to appear legitimate. It urges recipients to either pay fines immediately or appear in court, warning of penalties including license suspension, collection agency referral, and damage to credit scores.
Officials say the scam repeatedly attempts to create urgency by including phrases like “Immediate Action Required” and may direct victims to scan a QR code to resolve the alleged balance. Law enforcement emphasized that legitimate court systems do not typically demand payment through QR codes or unsolicited notices of this nature.
Residents are urged not to respond to the notice, send money, or provide personal information. Instead, individuals who receive similar documents should contact their local court or law enforcement agency directly to verify any claims.
The sheriff’s office noted that multiple residents have already reported receiving the fraudulent notice, indicating the scam may be spreading across the region. Authorities continue to investigate and are reminding the public to remain cautious when handling unexpected legal or financial communications.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted or victimized is encouraged to report the incident to local law enforcement.
