Area law enforcement agencies are warning residents about a fraudulent “Notice of Default” circulating in the community that falsely claims recipients owe money for traffic or toll violations.
Police said the notice may appear legitimate at first glance but is “100 percent fake” and designed to trick people into providing payment information.
Authorities pointed to several red flags. The document features official-looking seals with illegible or misspelled wording, a common sign of a scam. It also instructs recipients to scan a QR code to make an immediate payment — something officials say legitimate New York courts or the Department of Motor Vehicles would not require, especially under threat of arrest or license suspension.
The notice also uses urgent language, such as “final warning” and tight deadlines, to pressure recipients into acting quickly without verifying the information.
Police warned that scanning the QR code could direct victims to a fraudulent website intended to steal credit card information.
Carmel Police Chief Anthony Hoffmann said his department has not received any complaints about the scam but said it’s likely some residents have received the email or text and simply ignored it. One Mahopac News staffer, a Mahopac resident, said they received the text in question and deleted it.
“This thing is making the rounds, and it’s all around the state, even outside the state,” Hoffmann said. “But I think people are getting wise to it.”
Police said residents who receive the notice should delete or ignore it and block the sender if it arrives by text or email. Anyone concerned about potential traffic or toll violations should verify information through official state or New York City Department of Finance websites.
Police also encouraged residents to share the warning with neighbors, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to scams.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a scam or identity theft is urged to contact police.
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