Residents should be aware of a scam currently circulating that falsely claims to be from the State Court of Fulton County and the Fulton County Courthouse.
Over the past several days, authorities have received multiple reports of citizens receiving text messages stating they have a traffic or parking violation and must appear in court or pay a fine. The messages often include an image of an official-looking notice and instruct recipients to scan a QR code to make a payment.
Officials confirm that this notice is fraudulent and part of a scam.
What the Fake Notice Looks Like
The circulating image shows a document titled “Notice of Traffic Citation Hearing – Parking Violation.” It appears to come from the State Court of Fulton County and includes details such as:
- A case number
- A hearing date and time
- A court address in Atlanta
- A QR code instructing the recipient to scan and pay the fine
The document also lists a generic judge name and includes a seal resembling the State of Georgia seal in an attempt to make the notice appear legitimate.
However, the QR code is the key sign of the scam. Scanning it directs victims to a fraudulent payment page where scammers attempt to collect money and steal financial information.
How the Scam Works
Scammers send messages designed to create urgency and fear. Victims are told they must either appear in court or immediately pay a fine. When someone scans the QR code or follows the payment instructions:
- The scammer receives the payment.
- The victim’s credit card or banking information may also be stolen.
- That information can then be used for further fraud or identity theft.
Important Reminder
Courts such as the State Court of Fulton County do not send traffic citations or payment requests through unsolicited text messages with QR codes.
Official citations are typically issued by law enforcement officers or mailed through official court channels.
What You Should Do
If you receive a message like this:
- Do NOT scan the QR code
- Do NOT click any links
- Do NOT reply to the message
- Do NOT send payment or personal information
Instead:
- Block the number
- Delete the message
If You Already Responded
If you scanned the QR code or entered payment information:
- Contact your bank or credit card company immediately
- Monitor your accounts for suspicious transactions
- Consider reporting the scam to local law enforcement
Stay Alert
Scammers frequently impersonate government agencies to gain trust. If you ever receive a suspicious message claiming you owe a court fine or have a pending citation, contact the court directly using the official phone number listed on its website.
Staying informed and sharing warnings like this with others can help prevent more residents from becoming victims.
