For the past several months, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office has been warning residents about phone scams in which criminals impersonate deputies. Victims report receiving calls claiming they missed jury duty, have a warrant for their arrest, or face another urgent legal issue.

The scammers work to keep potential victims on the phone, create a sense of fear, and demand immediate payment, often in the form of Bitcoin or other electronic transfers. They insist the person remain on the line while the payment is made. These scams continue to circulate.

Now, a new variation is making the rounds: the “Toll Violation” or “Toll Violation Hearing” scam.

Residents have reported receiving text messages from an unfamiliar number containing what appears to be an official notice. The message may include the Virginia State Seal, a signature, and even a QR code to “pay” the alleged violation.

This is a scam.
Do not scan the QR code. Delete the message and report it as spam.

Scammers rely on urgency and official-looking documents to trick people into acting quickly. Taking a moment to carefully review the details can expose the fraud. In reported cases, the so-called citation contained obvious red flags, including the same name listed for both the judge and the county clerk, and an invalid case number.

The best way to protect yourself is to stay vigilant, slow down, and independently verify any unexpected demand for payment.