A bogus “Notice of Default” is making the rounds in New Orleans, pretending to come from the city’s traffic court and ordering residents to pay up fast. The letters reference supposed parking or toll violations and push people to scan a QR code to “fix” the problem. Court officials say the notices lean on scare tactics, including threats of license suspension and collection action, to pressure recipients into handing over money.
How the scam surfaced
According to WVUE (FOX 8), the Municipal and Traffic Court of New Orleans has confirmed the letters are fake and were not issued by the court. The station reports that the notices feature a QR code that directs people to make a payment and use threatening language designed to push them into quick action.
What the court is telling residents
The Municipal and Traffic Court of New Orleans is reminding residents that official court communications do not demand immediate payment through QR codes or other unofficial channels. Court guidance is clear: do not scan the QR code, do not share personal or financial information, and do not send any money in response to these letters. To verify whether a notice is legitimate or to pay an actual ticket, residents should use the court’s official portal at traffic.nola.gov or call the clerk’s office at 504-658-8500.
How to protect yourself and where to report it
Skip any links or QR codes in surprise letters, and never provide bank or card details to someone you have not verified. You can report this scheme to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and if the notice showed up in your mailbox, you can also file a complaint with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. These agencies use consumer reports to spot fraud patterns and alert others before they get hit…