If a letter or phone call tells you there's a warrant out for your arrest or a lawsuit against you, and the only way to fix it is a phone number printed right there on the notice, stop.
We've seen variations on this theme before, but scammers feel like it's had enough of a rest, so they're bringing it back and adding in things like electronic tolls.
The Identity Theft Resource Center is flagging a wave of fake "court notice" mailings and calls this month, built to look and sound exactly like the real thing, case numbers, official seals, even a callback line that answers like a clerk's office.
Amazon Staff
Why This Works on Smart People
It doesn't matter if you have a GED or a PhD because these scams borrow real formatting and lean entirely on fear. Nobody thinks clearly when they believe they're about to be arrested. That's the design, not an accident.
Three ways to check if it's real:
- Never call the number on the notice. Look up your local courthouse yourself and call that number.
- Real courts don't ask for payment over the phone, by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Ever.
- If you're unsure, your county clerk's office can confirm in minutes whether a case exists under your name.
Engelstalige uitgave Mark Huffman (auteur) Indeling: Kindle-editie
Introducing the Jury Duty Scam
With a slew of trials making headlines these days, scammers figured they could ride that wave, too. Here's how it plays out...
