Johnson County Warns of Fake Court Notice Text Scam

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The Johnson County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about a scam text message circulating on Sunday that appears to be a court notice. Officials say the message includes several red flags, such as identical and incorrectly formatted case numbers, a reference to a judge who does not exist in the county's court system, and a directive to use a QR code for payment - all clear signs of a scam. The sheriff's office advises recipients not to click links or send money, and instead to contact the Johnson County District Court directly using information from its official website.

Why it matters

Scams like this can trick unsuspecting residents into providing sensitive information or losing money. By raising awareness of the warning signs, the sheriff's office hopes to prevent residents from falling victim to this particular scam.

The details

According to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, the scam text message includes several red flags that indicate it is not a legitimate court notice. The case numbers listed are identical and formatted incorrectly, and the notice references a judge who does not exist in the county's court system. Additionally, the message directs recipients to use a QR code for payment, which is another clear sign of a scam.

• The scam text message began circulating on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office recommends that residents contact the Johnson County District Court directly using contact information from its official website if they receive a similar scam message.