SCAM ALERT: Official-looking, ‘sophisticated’ … and fake

| Safety | West Seattle news

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office sent this warning about a scam that looks official enough to fool people:

Recently people have been getting scam notices for King County District Court hearings that seem official and are very sophisticated.

(mock notice link removed) It is NOT a notice from King County District Court. It is a scam notice, according to District Court. It is important that people do not click the QR code or send money.

People are advised to contact King County District Court if they have any questions about a hearing notice they have received.

The KCPAO says the fake notices have been received by both email and text.

Julia March 20, 2026 (5:40 pm)

The “state seal” is just gibberish.

Daniel March 20, 2026 (6:06 pm)

As a general rule, never click any link in an email, or scan any QR code in an email. If you get an email from an institution (bank, company, government, whatever), go to their website manually, not by clicking through from the email.

RickB March 20, 2026 (7:11 pm)

Reply

I’d like to recommend not scanning any QR codes, ever — they could point literally anywhere — but with how ubiquitous they’ve become, that ship has likely sailed.

Pixie b March 20, 2026 (7:44 pm)

No name of the person receiving the notice, licence plate number, date of violation, officer name and signature, car make, etc. Always call or use the official website you look up yourself.John Smith! You have got to be joking. Most common name ever!

Jim March 20, 2026 (10:21 pm)

Reply

So common that it’s shared by both the judge and the clerk 😂

jissy March 20, 2026 (9:20 pm)

My 17 year old daughter got one of these today. Sent by text. Freaked her out for a moment then realized it was bunk.

Gr8erK8er March 21, 2026 (12:22 am)

Reply

I received one allegedly from another state I’ve never been to ever early yesterday. I received two from two different numbers today, despite deleting and blocking the first one and reporting as spam. The judge as John Smith, no make, model, date of violation, etc. indicated it was very obviously a scam to me.