The Ohio Attorney General’s Office is warning residents about a new text message scam claiming people owe unpaid parking or toll fines.
Officials say the messages include what appears to be an official court notice along with a QR code directing recipients to a website to pay the supposed fine.
However, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost says the notices are fraudulent and not connected to any real court system.
“Scammers rely on fear and urgency,” Yost said. “If you receive a message threatening court action or demanding immediate payment, take a moment to verify it before responding.”
Authorities say the websites connected to the messages have been traced to overseas domains, and scanning the QR codes could expose phones or computers to malware.
Do not scan the code or click links in unexpected legal notices. Instead, verify information directly with the court using official contact information.
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