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A new scam is raising alarm across West Virginia, and officials say it is designed to look so real that many people may fall for it before realizing what is happening.

The West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office issued an urgent warning Saturday about fraudulent text messages that illegally use the official State Seal to pressure residents into making immediate payments.

"How the scam works"

According to the release, the messages claim recipients failed to pay a fine tied to a parking or traffic violation.

The texts then push a sense of urgency, telling victims they must scan a QR code and pay immediately or appear in municipal court on Monday.

That tight deadline is no accident. It is a classic tactic meant to trigger panic and rush people into acting without verifying the claim.

"Why this scam is especially dangerous"

Officials say the use of the State Seal gives the message a false sense of legitimacy, making it far more convincing than typical scam attempts.

“This is clearly an illegal use of the State Seal to make the message and demand for payment appear legitimate,” Secretary Kris Warner said. “The use of the WV State Seal is clearly prohibited for this kind of message.”

By mimicking official government communication, scammers are increasing the risk that unsuspecting victims will comply without question.

"Potential legal consequences behind the scheme"

Warner emphasized that this is not just a minor scam but a potentially serious crime.

Under WV State Code 521, those responsible for illegally using the State Seal can face penalties tied to fraud or forgery.

"What you should do right now"

Officials are urging anyone who receives one of these messages to avoid clicking links, scanning QR codes, or interacting with the text in any way.

Instead, residents should report the scam immediately.

Those looking to report a scam email or text can send an email with a screenshot of the scam message to [email protected].

"Growing wave of scam threats"

This latest warning highlights a broader surge in increasingly sophisticated scams targeting the public, often using official imagery, urgent language, and threats of legal action to exploit fear.

The message from authorities is clear: slow down, verify, and never send money or personal information based on an unexpected text.

In this case, what looks official could cost you.