Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has warned residents about scammers sending out fake messages about unpaid tolls or parking fines, demanding money.

The warning states that the messages include what appears to be an official court document, aiming to trick recipients into believing the demand is legitimate. However, careful readers may notice inconsistencies with typical court communications in the document’s details.

In one example of a fake notice, the document referenced a judge who was not a municipal court judge and included a fake Ohio state seal.

The court reminds that it would not send messages informing residents about fines – such communication is handled via US mail.

These fraudulent messages also include a QR code directing victims to pay the fine. The linked website is not connected to the court system and appears to be tied to a domain that has been traced to entities overseas.

Scanning such QR codes could expose devices to malware or other security threats.

Yost reiterates that scammers often rely on urgency when trying to pressure their victims into paying.

“Scammers rely on fear and urgency,” Yost said in a news release. “If you receive a message threatening court action or demanding immediate payment, take a moment to verify it before responding.”

The attorney general shared tips for protecting yourself against similar scams.

• Do not scan QR codes or links on unexpected notices.
• Verify information independently by directly contacting the court or agency on the notice using an official phone number or website. Do not use the contact information included in the fraudulent notice.
• Look over the details of the notice for warning signs, like an incorrect seal, unfamiliar website, or unusual instructions.

Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, especially with the use of AI. Today, scammers can generate tailored messages or even craft a landing page specifically for the target in real-time to trick users.

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