State warns of fake court notices targeting Florida drivers in new scam

In Summary:

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is alerting drivers to a fraudulent scheme involving fake court notices demanding payment for alleged violations. The documents mimic official government correspondence and may include threats of license suspension or legal action. Officials urge residents not to click links or provide personal information and to report suspicious messages immediately.

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TALLAHASSEE  - The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is warning motorists of an ongoing fraudulent scheme involving counterfeit court notices that falsely claim to originate from Florida county courts and related judicial offices. These documents assert that recipients have outstanding traffic or toll violations and demand immediate payment.

Related: 7 signs someone may have stolen your identity for a tax refund.

The fraudulent notices closely resemble official government correspondence and may include:

References to Florida Statutes and fabricated case numbers
Threats of license suspension, registration holds, or default judgment
QR codes directing recipients to unauthorized payment portals
Unsolicited “hearing dates” or instructions to remit funds immediately
These communications are not issued by any Florida court, clerk’s office, or state agency. Residents are reminded that official government entities do not request payment through QR codes, third‑party links, or unverified online platforms.

REMEMBER: FLHSMV will never contact you via text message to demand payment or threaten suspension or arrest.

If you receive a suspicious message:

• Do not click any links.
• Do not share personal or financial information.
• Report it to the Federal Trade Commission and local law enforcement immediately.

Key Points:

• Scammers are sending fake court notices claiming unpaid traffic or toll violations.
• The notices may include fabricated case numbers, legal references, and threats of penalties.
• Some messages contain QR codes or links directing victims to fraudulent payment sites.
• State officials emphasize that legitimate agencies do not request payment through these methods.
• Residents should avoid clicking links and report scams to the FTC and local law enforcement.