QR Code Traffic Tickets Arrive by Text and Mail

A text message lands on your phone from (941) 334-0320. The sender claims you have unpaid traffic violations. Scan this QR code immediately to resolve the matter before court enforcement action begins.

This is a scam.

The QR code leads to a credential-harvesting site designed to steal your personal information. The phone number traces to scammers who rotate through local area codes to make their messages seem legitimate. The "court documents" they reference don't exist.

Reddit users began reporting these fake traffic violation notices in late April. The pattern is consistent across states. A text arrives with urgent language about unpaid fines, court cases, or driving violations. The message includes a QR code that supposedly connects you to an official payment portal or case lookup system.

One target received a message claiming to be from the "STATE OF NEW JERSEY IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT OF THE COUNTY OF ESSEX." The fake notice included a case number (NJ-28-TR-273196) and referenced Judge Michael Rodriguez. The QR code in that message directed victims to rois.motoriaccessori.com, a domain registered specifically for this scam.

The fake notices don't stop at text messages. Multiple consumers report receiving official-looking letters in the mail claiming to be from their state's "motor vehicle division." These letters reference the recipient's exact vehicle make, model, and year. They warn about expired service contracts and demand immediate contact through a provided phone number.

Real traffic courts never send violation notices through text message QR codes. Legitimate court documents arrive through certified mail with detailed information about the alleged violation, including the date, time, location, and specific traffic law cited. Court payments are processed through official government websites that end in .gov, never through random commercial domains.

The scammers behind these operations harvest personal information in multiple ways. When victims scan the QR code, they're directed to fake government websites that request full names, addresses, dates of birth, and credit card information to "pay" the fabricated fines. The sites capture every piece of data entered.

Phone numbers like (941) 334-0320 connect victims to fake customer service representatives who claim to work for traffic courts or motor vehicle departments. These callers pressure targets to provide Social Security numbers, driver's license information, and payment details over the phone.

The vehicle information appearing in the mailed notices comes from data broker purchases and public records scraping. Scammers buy bulk lists of vehicle registrations and property records, then craft personalized letters that reference accurate car details to establish credibility.

Real court notices include specific violation codes, officer badge numbers, and courthouse addresses where hearings will be held. They list multiple payment channels and give weeks of notice before any action escalates. Legitimate notices never include QR codes or demand immediate phone contact to avoid "enforcement action."

The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers never to scan QR codes from unsolicited messages. Legitimate courts and government agencies don't use text message QR codes for official business. When in doubt, contact your local court clerk directly using the phone number from your city or county's official website to verify any claimed violations.

Delete these messages without scanning the codes. Report the phone numbers to your cellular carrier by forwarding the texts to 7726 (SPAM). The scammers rotate numbers constantly, but carrier reporting helps identify and block new variants faster.