Fake Court Summons Email Script
This phishing email mimics an official notice from a court or law enforcement agency, claiming you've been summoned or face arrest, a fine, or a default judgment. Urgent legal language and a tight deadline are meant to unsettle you before you think it through. The scammer wants you to click a malicious link, open an attachment, or call a number and pay by gift card or wire transfer. Real courts never demand instant payment by phone. The most important step is to verify independently — contact the court using a number you look up yourself, never one from the email.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
SUMMONS — [Court Name]: You are required to appear on [date] regarding case [case number]. Failure to appear will result in a warrant for your arrest.
To settle this matter without a court appearance, a fine of [amount] must be paid within 48 hours. Pay now: [fake link]
You have been named as a defendant in civil action [case number]. Contact our office at [phone number] to avoid a default judgement of [amount].
Your Social Security number has been cited in a federal investigation. Call [phone number] immediately to speak to a compliance officer.
What the scammer wants
To create fear of legal consequences that drives you to pay quickly or call, at which point scammers demand payment by gift card or wire and may attempt identity theft by requesting sensitive personal information.
Red flags in the message
- Legal summons arriving only by email with no prior postal notice
- Demand for immediate payment to avoid arrest or a judgement
- Payment requested by gift card, wire, or cryptocurrency
- Phone number provided to 'settle' rather than directing you to an official court website
- Urgency — must act within 24–48 hours
- Case number that cannot be verified on the real court's public docket
- Request for your Social Security number or other personal identifiers
- Threatening language designed to prevent you from pausing to verify
A safe response
Real court summonses are delivered by post or process server, not email. Do not pay or call the number. If you are genuinely concerned, search for the court's official phone number independently and enquire directly.
What not to send
- Gift-card codes or wire transfers
- Social Security number or government ID details
- Payments via any link in the email
What to do if you already replied
- If you paid by gift card, contact the card issuer immediately
- If you sent a wire, contact your bank to attempt a recall
- If you shared personal identifiers, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file
- Report the email to your national cybercrime authority
- Consult a qualified legal professional if you have a genuine concern about legal proceedings
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot the full message or call details
- Note the sender number, email, or profile
- Save any links (without clicking) and payment details
- Record dates and times
Frequently asked questions
The email has my real name and address — does that mean it's legitimate?
Scammers often pull accurate personal details from data breaches or public records, so correct details don't prove authenticity. Courts also don't email urgent summonses out of nowhere. Verify through the court's official website or a phone number you look up yourself.
I clicked the link or opened the attachment — what should I do now?
Disconnect from the internet, run a security scan, and change any passwords you entered on the linked page, starting with email and banking. Avoid opening a downloaded file and delete it if you can. Watch your accounts for unusual activity over the following weeks.
Is it safe to reply to the email asking for clarification?
No — replying confirms your address is active and monitored, which invites more scam attempts, and any 'clarification' you get back will just be further manipulation. Look up the relevant court independently and contact them directly instead.
How do I tell a real legal notice from a fake one?
Genuine court communications are typically sent by post, not urgent email, and never ask for payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Check the sender's actual email domain, look for generic greetings, and verify any case number by calling the court through a number you find yourself.