Crime & Safety

Fake Court Notices Targeting Edison Residents In Toll Violation Scam

Fraudulent letters impersonating the Edison Township Municipal Court are circulating, authorities said.

A copy of the fake scam notice circulating in Edison.
A copy of the fake scam notice circulating in Edison. (Edison Township Police Department)

EDISON, NJ — Authorities are warning residents about a convincing-looking fraudulent document circulating in the area that falsely claims recipients have failed to pay an electronic toll and must appear in court or face legal consequences.

The scam letter, formatted to resemble an official court notice from the Municipal Court of the Township of Edison, bears the heading "Notice of Hearing — Toll Violation" and includes a fabricated case number, a fake judge's name, a New Jersey state seal, and a QR code prompting payment.

The document cites New Jersey Statutes Annotated § 27:23-34.2 and threatens recipients with default judgments, additional fines, and notification to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission if they fail to appear or pay.

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Officials stress the documents are not legitimate and are part of a scam designed to steal personal information or money.

"Do not respond or make payment," authorities said in an advisory. "Do not scan the QR code."

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The notices are particularly deceptive because they include real-sounding details — a street address for the Edison Township Municipal Court at 100 Municipal Boulevard, a local phone number, and an official-looking signature from a purported clerk of the magistrate court.

Residents who receive one of the letters are urged to take the following steps: do not respond or send payment, do not scan the QR code, and report the letter immediately to their local police department.

Toll-related scams have proliferated nationally in recent years, often arriving by text message, email, or — as in this case — physical mail. Legitimate toll agencies and courts in New Jersey do not request payment via QR code.

Anyone who believes they may have already scanned the code or submitted payment should contact their bank or credit card provider immediately and file a report with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-242-5846.

Have a correction or a news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

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