A new wave of phishing scams is spreading across the United States, with fraudsters sending fake “Notice of Default” traffic violation messages that impersonate state courts and government agencies.
The scam pressures recipients into scanning a QR code, which ultimately leads to a phishing site designed to steal personal and financial information.
This latest scheme builds on earlier toll and parking ticket scams seen in 2025, but introduces a more deceptive approach. Instead of including direct links, the messages now contain an image of an official-looking court notice with an embedded QR code, making the scam harder to detect and bypassing some security filters.
The messages claim to come from entities such as the Criminal Court of the City of New York, warning recipients of an urgent unpaid traffic or parking violation. The notice states that the issue has entered a “formal enforcement stage” and urges immediate action, either by paying the fine or appearing in court.
Once the QR code is scanned, victims are directed to an intermediary page that asks them to complete a CAPTCHA test. This extra step helps scammers avoid detection by automated security systems. After completing the CAPTCHA, users are redirected to a fake website that closely mimics official state agencies like the Department of Motor Vehicles.
These phishing sites typically claim the user owes a small fee, often around $6.99, to resolve the alleged violation. Victims who proceed are asked to enter sensitive details, including their name, address, phone number, email, and credit card information.
Cybersecurity experts warn that this data can be used for identity theft, financial fraud, and further targeted phishing attacks. Stolen information may also be sold on underground markets to other cybercriminals.
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Reports indicate the scam has affected residents in multiple states, including New York, California, North Carolina, Illinois, Virginia, Texas, Connecticut, and New Jersey, suggesting a widespread and coordinated campaign.
