A new scam is making the rounds in Louisiana, and Red River Parish Journal is warning readers to be cautious after one of the Journal staff members received one of the fraudulent notices over the weekend.

The scam arrives by text message and appears to be an official State of Louisiana court enforcement notice, claiming the recipient has unpaid toll violations, traffic fines, or other legal penalties requiring immediate action. Some versions threaten license suspension, collections, or court action and include a QR code or link demanding payment.

The notice is fake and designed to pressure people into sending money or providing personal information.

Officials advise residents not to scan the QR code, click links, or send payment in response to unsolicited messages like these. Legitimate Louisiana courts do not collect fines this way through random text notices.

Anyone receiving one of these messages should delete it, avoid engaging with the sender, and report suspected scams to appropriate authorities. Residents are urged to warn family members, especially elderly relatives, as scammers often target those least likely to question official-looking notices.