Watch Out for 3 Minnesota Court Scams

Last week, we discussed an email scam about fake court cases. But Minnesota courts are actually experiecing a number of other scams, ranging from phony warrants to threatening phone calls.

Here's a rundown of three scams to look out for:

• Jury service phone scam. Throughout the United States, including in Minnesota, citizens are being targeted by phone calls and threatened with prosecution for failing to comply with jury service in federal or state courts. In the calls, the threat of a fine for shirking jury service is used to coerce those called into providing confidential data, potentially leading to identity theft and fraud.
• Arrest warrant scam. Citizens are being targeted with fake arrest warrants, with an offer to avoid the arrest by paying a specific amount of money. As much as many folks in handcuffs wish it were true, valid arrest warrants may not be avoided by the payment of a fine. Do not let clients pay or provide any information in response to such communications and contact your local police department if they come to you with questions.
• Subpoena email scam. If you receive an email from subpoena@uscourts.com," do not open the link inside the email. The link will install a virus on your PC or network. This email was NOT sent by the U.S. Courts. If you receive one of these emails, you are advised to delete it from your inbox. Take a quick look at the court's example of one of these phony emails so that you know what to keep an eye out for.

Have any other information on scams rocking the Eighth Circuit? Tweet us at @FindLawLP and we'll pass them along.

Related Resources:

• Government Shutdown? No Problem! 8th Cir. Is Open for Business (FindLaw's U.S. Eighth Circuit Blog)
• Mark Your Calendars for 8th Circuit's Adult Program Series (FindLaw's U.S. Eighth Circuit Blog)
• Rosalie Wahl, First Woman on Minn. Supreme Court, Dies at 88 (FindLaw's U.S. Eighth Circuit Blog)