A scam disguised as an official court notice is circulating across Tennessee, prompting law enforcement to urge residents not to scan QR codes or call listed numbers.
Macon County, TN – A fraudulent “Notice of Hearing — Traffic Violation” is being mailed to residents across Tennessee, falsely claiming recipients owe fines or must appear in court, according to the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. The document, which appears to come from Davidson County General Sessions Court, includes a QR code and instructions designed to pressure recipients into paying money.
Key Points
- Scam notices mimic official court documents with QR codes and fake contact numbers
- Letters falsely claim recipients owe fines or must attend a court hearing
- Authorities urge residents to verify citations using official clerk contact information
The sheriff’s office issued a public warning after multiple reports of the letters surfacing in different counties. “If you get this letter. It is a scam,” the department stated. “This is a very official looking document complete with a QR code being sent to prospective victims.”
Scam uses realistic court formatting
The notice lists a Nashville court address, a case number, and a scheduled hearing date, giving it the appearance of a legitimate legal document. It instructs recipients to either appear in court or resolve the matter by paying fines, fees, and penalties—often through the included QR code.
Officials said the listed phone number on the notice is not reliable and may be part of the scam. “Call the General Sessions Clerk number yourself. NOT the number on this notice which is conveniently always busy,” the sheriff’s office warned.
Residents urged to verify before taking action
Authorities emphasized that anyone concerned about a possible citation should independently contact the Davidson County General Sessions Clerk’s Office using verified contact information. The correct number, officials said, is 615-862-5195.
The scam is not limited to Davidson County and has been reported in multiple areas statewide. Law enforcement continues to advise residents to avoid scanning unknown QR codes or sending payments without confirming legitimacy through official government channels.