The federal courts have received reports of fraudulent e-mails, telephone calls, and text messages from people who claim to be court employees or law enforcement officers. Often, the caller threatens arrest, demands payment, or attempts to trick the recipient into visiting a malicious website. If you receive an e-mail, a telephone call, a text message, or an attachment from someone who claims to be a court employee, and if you suspect that the communication is fraudulent, hang up and call the clerk's office at (608) 264-5156. Court staff will never ask for your personal financial information to verify your identity.

In another version of this scam, attorneys have reported receiving fake notifications from an electronic filing system. Once again, the goal is to pressure or trick the recipient into opening an attachment or clicking on a link that infects the user's device. To avoid becoming a victim, do not open attachments or click on links from questionable sources. If you receive a suspicious message, please contact the clerk's office. Court staff can determine if the message is genuine.

Finally, in the latest version of this scam, victims are directed by e-mail or text message to visit a malicious website that mimics the official website of the Central Violations Bureau, a national processing center for tickets issued on federal property. A warning message from the CVB is available here.