Fake Court Scams
Bogus court notices and 'missed jury duty' or 'lawsuit' threats demanding immediate payment.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
What this scam is
Fake court scams claim you've missed jury duty, ignored a summons, or face a lawsuit, and must pay a fine immediately to avoid arrest or judgment. The 'court' and penalties are fabricated.
How it works
By call, email or letter, a 'court official' cites a case number and threatens arrest or a default judgment. You're told to pay a fine by unusual means or provide personal details to 'resolve' the matter.
Common red flags
- Threats of arrest for missed jury duty or a court date by phone
- Demands for payment by gift card or transfer
- Official-sounding case numbers and urgency
- Requests for personal or banking details
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
You failed to appear for jury duty. A warrant is active. Pay the [amount] fine now to clear it.
Payment methods used
- Gift cards
- Crypto
- Bank transfer
Who is usually targeted
- General public
- Older adults
What to do immediately
- Don't pay — verify with the actual court using official contact details
- Never share banking details with inbound 'court' contacts
- Report the scam
Evidence to preserve
- The notice/call details
- Case numbers cited
- Payment demands
Where to report it
- Action Fraud (UK) — UK national fraud & cybercrime reporting centre
- FTC ReportFraud (US) — US Federal Trade Commission fraud reports
- FBI IC3 (US) — US Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Scamwatch (Australia) — Australian competition & consumer reporting
- Your bank's fraud line — Use the number on the back of your card or in your banking app — never a number the caller gives you
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Frequently asked questions
Do courts demand instant phone payments for missed jury duty?
No. Courts use formal written processes and don't call demanding immediate gift-card or transfer payments to avoid arrest. Verify any claim by contacting the court directly through official channels.