So, you’re enjoying a peaceful day when suddenly, ding! A text pops up claiming you’ve got a traffic hearing. It looks official, complete with a state seal, a case number, and all the trimmings. Your heart skips a beat, and you’re already planning your court outfit. But wait! This is no ordinary traffic notice—it’s a scam trying to take your money faster than you can say “speeding ticket.”
Here’s how this sneaky scam works: You get a text that says you’ve got a traffic violation. To avoid a court hearing, they say, just scan this handy QR code and pay up. It even gives you a fake hearing date and time, like a bad episode of a legal drama.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Scammers are hoping you’ll panic and act faster than a cheetah on roller skates. They’ll threaten you with all sorts of scary consequences if you don’t act immediately: default judgments, fines, and enforcement actions. It’s all designed to freak you out into scanning that QR code, which, spoiler alert, is a one-way ticket to Scamville. Scanning it can lead to malware on your phone or personal info theft, which is about as fun as a root canal.
Here’s the golden rule: don’t respond, and definitely don’t scan the QR code. If you’re convinced this could be real, don’t take the bait. Instead, visit the court’s website or call them using a number you know is legit—not the one from Captain Scam’s text message.
Already fell for it and paid? Don’t panic. Check out “What To Do if You Were Scammed” for your next steps, and make sure to give the FTC a heads-up at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. They love hearing about scams almost as much as I love writing about them.
So, next time you get a text about a traffic hearing, remember: it’s probably just a scam, not a call from the courthouse. Stay savvy, keep calm, and whatever you do, don’t scan that QR code!
For more detailed information, check out the original article: FTC Consumer Alert.
Original article: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/04/text-about-traffic-violation-probably-scam