Authorities in New Hampshire are raising alarms over a sophisticated scam targeting residents, particularly in the Greater Manchester Area, involving fraudulent court documents. The Manchester Police Department has identified a specifically deceptive notice of hearing that misrepresents a traffic violation, misleading recipients into believing they owe a fine.

The counterfeit notification includes a fictitious hearing date and claims that payment can resolve the issue. Police officials have emphasized that these documents are entirely fabricated. Additionally, the scam includes a QR code, which they strongly discourage individuals from scanning.

Local resident Linda DePoutot from Northfield shared her experience upon receiving the suspicious message, quickly recognizing it as a scam due to her lack of connection to Manchester. She expressed concern for older individuals who might find the documents credible and could be tricked into responding.

The Manchester Police indicated a significant uptick in inquiries regarding these documents, noting that their communications and records departments were overwhelmed with calls. The Circuit Court in Manchester also received numerous inquiries related to this scam. Authorities advise anyone receiving such notifications to verify their authenticity by contacting the relevant court or agency directly.

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office has reiterated that the judicial branch does not communicate information about court dates or fines via unsolicited text messages. Residents are advised to disregard any such notifications they may encounter.