WMVO Good Times Great Oldies
The Mount Vernon Municipal Court is alerting Knox County residents to a new scam involving fraudulent text messages claiming to be notices about unpaid parking violations.
According to a press release from the court, the messages appear convincing and may reference an alleged unpaid ticket, list a court date, or include official‑looking seals. Some texts also urge immediate payment through links or QR codes. But court officials say none of the messages are legitimate.
“The Court does not send text messages notifying individuals about unpaid tickets,” the release states. “Official court notices are sent through the U.S. mail or delivered through official court procedures.”
Judge John Thatcher and Clerk of Court Lisa Mazza emphasized that residents should not click on any links, scan QR codes, or submit payment. They also stressed that individuals should not appear at the courthouse unless they have an officially scheduled hearing.
The court is urging anyone who receives one of these messages to report it to local law enforcement. Residents with questions about the legitimacy of a notice can contact the Clerk’s Office directly for verification.
“The Court encourages residents to remain vigilant,” the release says, noting that scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to mimic official communications.
