LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office issued a public warning March 18, 2026, alerting residents to a sophisticated text message scam that impersonates the District Court with fake “Notice of Hearing – Traffic Violation” alerts.
The fraudulent texts claim recipients have an outstanding traffic violation and urge them to scan a QR code to address the issue promptly. The messages build urgency by warning of possible legal repercussions for inaction, a classic tactic to pressure quick compliance.
Sheriff Steven A. Hall’s office confirmed that multiple residents recently reported receiving these unsolicited texts, which mimic official court communications. Authorities emphasize that the messages aim to lure victims into clicking malicious links or QR codes, potentially leading to theft of personal data or financial information through phishing sites.
The Sheriff’s Office stressed that Maryland courts never deliver official notices for hearings or traffic violations via text messages. Legitimate notifications arrive exclusively through first-class mail or in-person service by authorized personnel. No court or government entity solicits payments, credit card details, or other sensitive information through unsolicited texts.
To protect themselves, residents should follow these key steps: Avoid clicking any links or scanning QR codes in unexpected messages purporting to come from courts or agencies. Refrain from sharing personal, financial, or identifying details in response to such contacts. If a message raises concerns about a possible violation or hearing, verify it independently by calling the relevant court using a known, official phone number or visiting its verified website—never use information supplied in the suspicious text.
For broader questions on this or similar scams, the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division offers assistance through its hotline at 410-528-8662 or toll-free at 888-743-0023.
This warning arrives amid a pattern of similar court-impersonation scams reported across regions, where scammers exploit fear of legal consequences to extract information or payments. In St. Mary’s County, the Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor emerging threats and encourages prompt reporting of suspicious contacts to help curb their spread.
The release, distributed through the Sheriff’s Office official channels including its website at firstsheriff.com, underscores ongoing community efforts to combat digital fraud in Southern Maryland. Residents staying vigilant and verifying sources directly play a critical role in limiting the success of these schemes.