TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) – A sophisticated email scam is targeting Kansans with a fake federal court summons that infects devices with malware.
Attorney General Kris Kobach issued an urgent warning on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Scammers are impersonating the U.S. District Court.
The AG’s Consumer Protection Division indicated that multiple Kansans reported receiving emails with subject lines like “Legal Compliance Required: Court Case #USDC-2026-[Number].”
What the scam looks like
According to the AG, the emails claim recipients are “formally served with a summons in a civil action.” They threaten a default judgment without an immediate response.
Kobach emphasized that courts never serve legal documents via email. “These are sophisticated scams designed to steal personal information or infect devices with malware,” he said.
The documents or links in these emails contain malware, Kobach warned. Clicking them can infect a device.
How to spot a fake
State leaders said to follow these steps to ensure you do not fall victim:
- Check the sender’s email address: Legitimate federal court emails always end in .gov. Scammers use .org or .com addresses.
- Know the process: The U.S. District Court serves initial summonses via U.S. Postal Service or a process server, never by mail.
What to do if you receive this email
Kobach warned Kansans not to click anything. Do not open attachments, click links or reply to the sender.
Officials also indicated that residents should verify the summons independently. If concerned that a legal case exists, Kansans can contact the Clerk of the Court directly. Use a phone number from the official court website, not the email.
Those who do receive the email have also been urged to report it immediately:
- Forward the email to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov
- File a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division HERE
Kobach urged anyone who receives the scam email to report it. “We can hold these criminals accountable,” he said.
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