Fake Court Appearance Scams Target Washington Residents

Officials warn against clicking on suspicious links that could lead to identity theft.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:37am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a QR code against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the dangerous lure of a scam's malicious link.A malicious QR code at the heart of a scam targeting Washington residents, exposing the dangers of unsolicited digital lures.Seattle Today

Washington residents are being targeted by a new scam involving fake email and text messages claiming they have a court notice to appear for a parking or toll violation. The notices include threats of losing their driver's license if they fail to respond, and include a QR code that could lead to identity theft if scanned. Law enforcement agencies have warned the public about these scam attempts, which use official-looking details but are completely fraudulent.

Why it matters

These scams are designed to trick residents into providing personal information or clicking on malicious links, putting them at risk of identity theft. The use of official-looking details makes the scams appear more legitimate, increasing the chances of people falling victim. Raising awareness about these tactics is important to protect the public.

The details

The fake court notices include an official-looking state seal, case and RCW numbers, and the address for the King County District Court's Seattle office. However, the court clerk and judge listed both have the same name, 'John Smith,' and the case number is identical across all the notices being sent out. The notices threaten the loss of the recipient's driver's license if they fail to respond, and include a QR code at the bottom that could lead to identity theft if scanned.

  • The scam attempts have been reported in Washington state in 2026.

The players

King County District Court

The local court that has posted warnings about the scam on its website, advising residents to verify any outstanding cases through their official channels.

Grant County Sheriff's Department

Another law enforcement agency that has shared information about the identical-looking scam notices being sent to residents.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

These scams highlight the importance of verifying the legitimacy of any official-looking communications, especially those that threaten legal action or demand immediate payment. Residents should be cautious of unsolicited messages and avoid clicking on suspicious links or scanning QR codes to protect themselves from identity theft.