Hartford, Ala. (WDNews) — A new text message scam is making the rounds in the Wiregrass, and police are urging residents not to fall for it.
According to the Hartford Police Department, scammers are sending out messages claiming to be a “final notice” for unpaid traffic violations. The messages may look official, sometimes including a seal or even a QR code, but investigators say they are completely fake.
Police say one major red flag is the message referencing “St. Louis County, Alabama,” which does not exist. The scam also pushes recipients to act quickly, often directing them to click a link or scan a code to make a payment.
Authorities warn residents not to click any links, scan QR codes, or provide personal or financial information tied to these messages.
Instead, people are encouraged to delete the message immediately, report it as spam, and contact local law enforcement if they have concerns.
Officials also remind the public that legitimate government agencies will not send random text messages demanding payment or asking individuals to scan codes.
Anyone with questions can contact the Hartford Police Department at 334-588-3369. Police are asking the community to share the warning to help prevent others from becoming victims.
