Scammers are sending fake “Notice of Default” texts impersonating state courts that include an image with a QR code leading to a phishing site demanding a $6.99 payment while harvesting personal and financial information. The campaign targets residents across multiple states and uses intermediary sites and CAPTCHAs to evade detection; state agencies say they do not request payments or personal data via text. #NewYorkDMV #CriminalCourtNY
Keypoints
- Fraudulent texts impersonate state courts and instruct recipients to scan a QR code on a fake notice.
- Scanning the QR code leads to an intermediary site with a CAPTCHA, then a phishing page impersonating a DMV or agency.
- Phishing pages request a $6.99 payment and collect names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, and credit card details.
- Reports show the campaign targets multiple states including New York, California, North Carolina, Illinois, Virginia, Texas, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
- State agencies warn they do not request payment or personal information via text, so recipients should ignore unknown payment requests.