Scam text message.

PARKERSBURG – State and local authorities over the weekend warned residents of a scam about owing traffic and parking fines.

At least one Wood County resident reported she received the official-looking text message that said she owed a fine in the Kanawha County Municipal Court and the message was a final notice for court enforcement. The notice using the seal of the state of West Virginia also contained a QR code to be scanned to settle the unpaid balance.

Sheriff’s and police departments in West Virginia issued scam alerts, including the secretary of state Kris Warner who said use of the seal in this manner is illegal.

“This is clearly an illegal use of the state seal to make the message and demand for payment appear legitimate,” Warner said. “The use of the West Virginia state seal is clearly prohibited for this kind of message.”

Warner also warned those receiving the message to not click on the QR code or open any attachment.

The layout of the notice is similar to those used in other states.