Many scams start with an intimidating phone call. A “debt collector” needs you to pay immediately. Or a “police officer” claims to have a warrant for your arrest. The latest variation involves a phony process server and a non-existent court case against you. BBB Scam Tracker has gotten numerous reports of this new twist.
Here’s how the scam works. You receive a call from an unknown or blocked number from a person claiming to be a process server. They might say there is a lien on your home, or someone is taking you to court over unpaid medical bills. In other cases, the scammer may be secretive, saying they can’t reveal details until your papers are served.
Next, they’ll ask you to “confirm” sensitive personal information, such as your date of birth and Social Security number. When you’re hesitant to give out this information, they stress the urgency of the matter – after all, you’re being taken to court! If you ask too many questions about who is making a complaint or what company the process server works for, the scammer will get angry and demanding.
Sometimes, the “process server” may be phishing for information about your family members. According to one target, “I received a call from some lady who… stated that my phone number was provided to them by my mother, and they wanted me to verify her Social Security number and date of birth. I refused and asked her what the phone call was about. She stated that there was a lawsuit pending against my mother, but she declined to state who the complainant was and said there would be a process server coming through to serve papers. They refused to provide my mother with any information regarding a lawsuit against her. We waited for a process server, and of course, none showed up.”
In reality, the people behind this scam don’t have any legal papers to deliver, they want to get their hands on your personal information to commit identity theft.
How to avoid phishing scams
• Be wary of scare tactics. Scammers love to threaten people with legal action or hefty fines, scaring them into giving up their personal information. They hope fear will make you act without thinking. Always remember representatives of a reputable business or legal office will be polite and civil, even in a serious situation. They won’t pressure you to act immediately “or else.”
• Search your local court website. If you think there’s a chance someone has filed a lawsuit against you, check your local court's website. Search your name to see if any lawsuit has been filed. If nothing comes up, you’re in the clear.
• The scammer may have some personal information. Don’t give them more. Scammers may have some of your personal information already from a previous phishing scam, a data breach, or some other source. They may use these stolen details to get even more information from you. For example, they might read your Social Security number and then ask you to “confirm” your date of birth. Even if someone already has a few details, don’t give them any further information unless you are sure you’re dealing with someone you trust.
• Talk it over with someone. Research shows that having someone to talk things over with is vitally important. Take the time to reach out to a family member, trusted friend or the BBB so you don’t allow fear to influence your decisions.
For more information on phishing and impostor scams visit www.BBB.org. You will also find BBB's Spot a Scam page for tips on recognizing scam tactics.
If a scammer contacts you, report your experience to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help us boost consumer awareness and make scammers’ tactics less effective.
