That official-looking "Notice of Hearing — Parking Violation" on your windshield might be a straight-up scam. Boston police say residents are finding convincing court-style paperwork that claims they owe money on a parking case, complete with a QR code that pressures them to pay fast. None of it is legit, according to the Boston Police Department, which is warning drivers that these flyers were not issued by the City of Boston and should not be trusted for payments or QR scans. Anyone who receives one and is unsure whether it is real is urged to double-check through official city channels and alert police.
What to watch for
According to the Boston Police Department, the fake notices are dressed up to look like real court paperwork. Red flags include a case number, a judge's name and signature, a Boston Municipal Court address, a specific hearing date, the Massachusetts state seal and a QR code that directs the recipient to make a payment. Police say the mix of formal court language and official-looking imagery is designed to fool people into paying before they stop to question it.
Example shared by police
In one sample notice included with the department's alert, the document lists case number MA-26-PK-301425, identifies "John Smith" as the judge, and schedules a hearing for Sunday at 9 a.m. at the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse at 24 New Chardon Street. The sample is dated March 2. Those exact details appear in the Boston Police Department's Facebook post about the scam.
How to verify and report
If a notice shows up out of the blue, police say do not scan the QR code and do not follow any payment prompts printed on the page. Instead, confirm any alleged parking citation directly through the City of Boston's official parking pages or by calling the Parking Clerk at 617-635-4410. Anyone who has received one of these phony documents or has related evidence is asked to notify police. Community members can share tips anonymously with Boston Police CrimeStoppers by calling 1-800-494-TIPS, texting TIP to 27463, or using the department's online tip form.
Why QR code scams keep working
Scammers have been leaning on QR codes and spoofed text messages for years to pry loose payment and banking information, taking advantage of how quick-pay shortcuts can mask classic phishing tricks. Authorities have flagged similar schemes before, including fake texts and lookalike websites that borrow city-style branding to appear trustworthy; see prior coverage by Boston.com.
If you are on the fence about whether any notice is real, hold off on paying and contact the city's parking office or Boston police to confirm. For emergencies or active criminal activity, call 9-1-1. Otherwise, hang on to the paperwork, snap clear photos, and include them with any tip you send to CrimeStoppers.
