Scams are on the rise according to several recent news reports. From miracle cures for Covid-19 to court summons, scammers are doing all they can.

I still get at least one email a week from someone needing my help "transferring funds" from some Eastern Bloc nation to the U.S.

Today, I received an email claiming to contain a court summons. It's weird for several reasons that I would be receiving a summons via e-mail. Least of all for just how the email is worded.

charlie getting scammed
Credit: Charlie Hardin
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No, I didn't click those links. That's just the theme for my inbox.

What Makes Me Sure This Is Fake?

First, there is no information, at all, in the email. Not a county, jurisdiction, place I need to go, what day I need to be there, or anything really. Just instructions for me to download a PDF that is, without a doubt, going to infect my computer with malicious software.

The Email Address Looked Fake

Also, the email address wasn't one from any kind of official office. Just so we're clear, it's incredibly easy to make a fake email account, with any domain name you want attached to it.

Digging In To The Details

I decided to look up Title 16 USC 8763 just to see if there was something I missed. After punching that into Google, I wasn't surprised when it didn't pull anything up. Title 16 did come up, and it has to do with conservation. I don't hunt and fish much, don't own any land, and barely get out of my house.

History Of Similar Scams

Back in 2014, yes that's how long these have been going around, a warning about scams like this one were issued by the website uscourts.gov. In it, they pretty much describe the email that I received.

Right now, with everything going on in the world, be extra protective of your information and money. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If something seems off, call an official office and ask questions.

KEEP READING: These are the top 6 scams connected to the pandemic

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