Scammers are trying to turn traffic panic into quick cash in Lorain County, and local deputies want you to hit the brakes before you pay a dime.
On Saturday, the Lorain County Sheriff's Office shared photos of a very official-looking but completely bogus letter labeled “Notice of Hearing - Traffic Violation.” The letter uses a generic name like “John Smith,” slaps on what looks like court stationery, and includes a QR code that sends people to a payment page. Recipients are warned to act fast or face penalties, but sheriff's officials say these notices are not from any court at all.
The sheriff's office is urging residents not to scan any QR codes, not to send money, and to confirm any supposed court notice using contact information from an official court website, not from the letter itself.
How the fake notices work
The letters are designed to pass a quick glance test. They mimic court letterhead, sometimes include what looks like an official seal and courthouse address, then list a supposed hearing date along with a QR code that promises a quick, online “settlement” of the alleged fine.
Scammers have been using similar tricks in other Ohio jurisdictions too. In a recent advisory, the Franklin County Municipal Court stressed that “Neither the Court nor the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk sends text messages notifying people about fines,” and that it does not demand payment by text. Court officials emphasize that legitimate notices come by mail and that any suspicious message or letter should be reported to local law enforcement.
Where the phony notices have appeared
This is not just a Lorain County problem. Similar fake “Notice of Hearing - Toll Violation” messages, often sent as texts with attached images, have popped up in other states this month. The Philadelphia Courts issued a statewide consumer fraud alert warning people not to scan QR codes or hand over banking or Social Security information in response to these schemes.
In Lorain County, the scam has arrived in letter form. The Lorain County Sheriff's Office shared photos of the circulated notice, noting that it “cannot be verified through an official court website” and advising residents to contact their court directly using verified phone numbers from official sites. That warning follows a February alert about an uptick in fake law enforcement scam calls targeting local residents.
How to protect yourself
Basic rule of thumb: if an unexpected message is pushing you to act right now and pay through a QR code or link, treat it like a red light.
Do not scan QR codes or click links in unsolicited texts or letters, and never provide personal or financial information in response to an unplanned demand. The Franklin County Municipal Court reiterates that courts do not send payment demands by text and urges people to verify any alleged ticket or hearing by calling a phone number listed on the court's official website, not in a text or suspicious letter. If you believe you have been targeted, contact your local police department and consider filing a complaint with federal authorities.
If you already scanned the code
If curiosity got the better of you and you scanned the QR code but did not type in any details, close the page and run a malware scan on your device as a precaution.
If you entered banking or card numbers, call your bank immediately to freeze or cancel the card, and keep a close eye on your accounts for any unusual charges. You should also report the scam through ReportFraud.ftc.gov and notify your local police department so an official report can be taken.
