In the legal world, a summons is an official document issued by a court that notifies an individual or entity that they are required to appear in court or respond to a legal action. However, with the rise of cybercrime, scammers are increasingly using fake summons to trick people into opening malicious emails or paying fraudulent legal fees. This article explains the legitimate summons process and how to spot potential scams.
How Is a Legal Summons Issued and Served?
A summons is a formal court document that must follow specific legal procedures. In most jurisdictions, a summons is issued by a court and must be served in a particular manner to be valid. The service of a summons is generally done in the following ways:
- Service by the Sheriff or Authorised Officer: In many legal systems, a summons must be personally delivered by a sheriff, or another court-authorised official. This means that if you are being served with a legal summons, a physical document should be handed to you, often in person or at your place of residence or business.
- Other Court-Approved Methods: Some jurisdictions allow for alternative methods of service, such as registered mail or publication, but these are strictly regulated and must be approved by the court.
Beware of Email and Online Scams
Legitimate court summons is not typically sent via email or text messages. Scammers use fake emails disguised as court notices to lure individuals into clicking harmful links or making unauthorised payments. Here are some red flags to watch for:
Unsolicited Emails: If you receive an email claiming to be a court summons but have never been involved in a legal matter, be cautious.
Generic Greetings and Poor Grammar: Courts use official language and will address you by name, not with vague greetings like “Dear Sir/Madam.”
Threatening Language or Urgent Payment Requests: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, demanding immediate payment of legal fees or fines.
Unverified Sender: Official court communications come from government domains (for example .gov or .court). If the email is from a generic email provider, it is likely a scam.
What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Summons
Do Not Click on Any Links: Links in scam emails often contain malware that can compromise your personal information.
Verify With the Court: If you receive a summons and are unsure of its authenticity, contact the court directly using official contact details found on government websites.
Report the Scam: If you suspect you have received a fraudulent summons, report it to your local law enforcement agency or consumer protection authority.
A genuine court summons follows strict legal procedures, including personal delivery by an authorised official. If you receive a summons via email, be skeptical and take steps to verify its legitimacy. Awareness and vigilance are key to protecting yourself from legal scams.
You should always bear in mind that court officials will not engage you in respect of court order etc., but rather the attorney for the plaintiff.
