Circuit clerk warns public of a court information email scam

NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT

Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 3:15 p.m. — Nelson Circuit Court Clerk Diane Thompson is warning the public of a email scam making the rounds that purports to contain information about an individual’s upcoming court date.

Some of the emails say they are from the Nelson Circuit Clerk’s office and have an attachment about their court date. Thompson said one of her friends received the email and thought it was legitimate. When she clicked on the attachment and opened it, it immediately shut down her computer. The computer has been out for repair for a week, Thompson said.

Thompson’s warning said that Nelson County Attorney Matthew Hite reports that a local businessman received a similar email from Kentucky Courts regarding a court hearing. The man contacted Hite and did not open the attachment.

According to the Snopes.com website, variations of this “Court Notice Scam” have been making the rounds since December 2013. The attachment that accompanies the email is malware that once clicked on will infect the recipient’s computer.

Courts do not typically use email to summon individuals to court. If you receive such an email and have questions, contact the appropriate court system to determine if the email notice is legitimate.

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