Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Columbus Municipal Court Scam

The Franklin County Municipal Court (often colloquially called the Columbus Municipal Court) and the Ohio Attorney General have issued urgent warnings regarding a fraudulent text and mail scam targeting residents as of March 2026.

The Scam

Scammers are sending official-looking text messages or letters claiming the recipient has outstanding parking tickets or unpaid toll fees in Columbus.

  • The Demand: You are told to either pay a fine immediately through a link or QR code, or appear in court on a specific date.
  • The Risk: Scanning the QR code or clicking the link may lead to malware installation on your device or the theft of your credit card and personal information.

Red Flags

  • Incorrect Information: Columbus and Franklin County do not have toll roads.
  • Fake Officials: The notices often name "Anne Thompson" as the Clerk of Court; however, the actual Clerk is Lori Tyack. Some versions even mistakenly reference the "Atlanta Municipal Court" despite being addressed to Ohio residents.
  • Visual Inconsistencies: The documents may feature AI-generated or misspelled state seals (e.g., "TOH GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF OMC") and typos like "DEFAULL".
  • Communication Method: The court never uses text messages to notify individuals about fines or court dates. Official notifications are only sent via U.S. mail.

What To Do

  1. Do Not Comply: Do not click links, scan QR codes, or provide personal information.
  2. Verify Independently: If you are unsure if you have a case, check the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk's Record Search or call their official office directly.
  3. Report the Scam: Contact your local law enforcement agency or the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section at 800-282-0515.
  4. Do Not Show Up: The court advises that you should not go to the courthouse for these "summons" unless you have a verified, scheduled hearing on an active case.
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