Utah Courts warning public of email scam

LOGAN — Many people have been summoned for jury duty, but an email scam that is being sent to residents in Cache Valley and throughout the state, is spreading a computer virus by leading people to believe they are being summoned to appear in court.

Utah State Courts Communications Director Nancy Volmer said this is an international scam that is now targeting residents in Utah.

“What is happening is that people are getting emails letting them know that they have to appear in court,” said Volmer. There is a link or an attachment in the email. Once they click on it, there is a virus that spreads in their computer”

The court system learned of this scam after residents called them, reporting they had received these types of emails.

Volmer said residents should know that unless they are a defendant in a case, they won’t receive a notice to appear. Also when notices are sent, they are usually distributed through the postal system.

“That doesn’t mean down the road we won’t start using email, but from what I understand, the emails that are coming to the public are not even from a court email address.”

Jury summons are also sent through the mail, instructing the person to go online to qualify for duty. If there is any follow up, it is typically done through phone voice mail.

Volmer said people are always welcomed to call the court directly if they have questions whether a summons to appear is legitimate. 

“For individuals who are involved in a court proceeding, it is a good idea if they get some sort of contact from the court, an email. The best thing to do if they are questioning it is to just call the court directly and to ask if they are to appear in court at a certain date and time. That is the safest way to handle this at this point.”

Phone numbers are available on the court’s website at www.utcourts.gov.

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