Boston Police Warn of Fake Parking Ticket Scam
Boston residents and visitors are being warned about a new scam involving fraudulent parking violation notices that falsely appear to be official documents from the Boston Municipal Court. The Boston Police Department (BPD) issued a community alert on March 7, 2026, detailing the scheme.
What to Look For
These fraudulent notices are designed to look legitimate and may include several key elements, according to the BPD:
- A case number
- A judge’s name and signature
- A Boston Municipal Court address
- A hearing date
- A Massachusetts state seal
- A QR code prompting payment
How to Protect Yourself
Police strongly advise residents not to scan the QR code or submit any payment based on an unsolicited notice. Before taking any action, individuals should verify the validity of the notice through official channels. According to the BPD and WCVB Channel 5, official Boston parking tickets do not include QR codes for verification.
Verifying a Legitimate Parking Violation
Legitimate parking violations can be verified through the City of Boston’s official parking ticket payment website.
Reporting the Scam
If you receive one of these fraudulent notices or believe you have been victimized, report it to the Boston Police Department.
- For emergencies or active criminal activity, call 9-1-1.
- To provide information anonymously:
- By Phone: 1-800-494-TIPS
- By Text: Text the word “TIP” to CRIME (27463)
- Online: Submit a tip via Boston Police CrimeStoppers
The Boston Police Department will safeguard the identities of those who wish to provide information confidentially.