If you get a letter in the mail claiming you owe money for a traffic ticket or a toll, take a very close look before you reach for your wallet. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) just issued an urgent warning about a new wave of fake court notices hitting mailboxes across the state.
These counterfeit documents are designed to look exactly like official government mail. They often feature convincing details like references to specific Florida Statutes, professional-looking case numbers, and official-sounding demands for payment.
To create a sense of panic, the scammers include threats that your driver’s license will be suspended or that your vehicle registration will be blocked if you don’t pay up immediately.
The biggest red flag in these letters is the use of QR codes. Scammers are using these codes to send people to unauthorized payment websites.
State officials are reminding the public that real Florida courts and government agencies do not ask for money through QR codes, third-party links, or unverified online platforms. These fake notices might even list a “hearing date” that doesn’t exist to make the situation feel more urgent.
The FLHSMV wants to make one thing clear: “FLHSMV will never contact you via text message demanding payment or threatening suspension or arrest.” Official business regarding your license or tickets is handled through secure, established channels, not through unsolicited texts or suspicious links.
READ: Florida Gov. DeSantis Re-evaluates 2024 Rivalry With Trump And Eyes Potential 2028 Return
If one of these notices shows up at your house or on your phone, do not click on any links and do not provide any credit card or social security numbers. Instead, officials recommend reporting the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your local police department.
Keeping your information safe starts with double-checking the source before trusting a “government” letter that seems a little too pushy.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
