Cook County Circuit Court warns about scam seeking unpaid parking charges

The Cook County Circuit Court is warning residents about a scam “hearing notice” soliciting payments for fake parking charges.

The notice, titled “Illinois Circuit Court – Hearing Notice,” falsely claims the receiver needs to pay for unpaid parking charges or face court action, according to the office of Chief Judge Charles Beach.

The scam includes a QR code and directs the receiver to scan it and pay the fine. The Circuit Court does not send hearing notices in this format, it does not demand payments through a QR code, and it does not threaten arrest or credit reporting for unpaid parking tickets, according to the warning.

If anyone encounters this scam, the chief judge encourages the notice be sent to local law enforcement and the Illinois attorney general’s office.