I got a text with a court summons link telling me to respond immediately, is it legit?
Last reviewed: 2026-08-01 · Checked with Hunch’s on-device engine, the same one inside the extension. How Hunch checks →
Part of our guide: How to recognize a bank-impersonation scam →
No. Courts do not serve summonses by text with a link demanding you act within hours. A message claiming you have a court summons and must click to verify your identity or pay to avoid penalties is phishing designed to steal your details or money.
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Anything framed as a legal summons triggers instinctive anxiety, and most people are unsure how they'd actually be served, so a text citing a "legal matter" and a deadline feels credible. The scam weaponizes that uncertainty and fear of penalties, pushing the recipient to click and "verify" before they pause to realize courts never serve papers by text link.
Illustrative example of the pattern, not a real message someone received.
How to verify it yourself
- Real court summonses arrive by mail or in-person service, never by a texted link.
- Don't click; a demand to "verify" or pay through a link is the phishing hook.
- Look up the court on the county's official .gov site and call to check for any case.
- A short deadline plus penalties is pressure meant to stop you from verifying.
Common questions
is a court summons text a scam
Yes. Courts don't deliver summonses by text or route you to a link to verify identity or pay penalties.
do courts send summons by text message
No. Legal summonses come through the mail or formal service, so a texted summons with a link is always phishing.
text says I have a legal case and must respond
Don't click. Look up your county court on its .gov site and call directly to confirm there's no case in your name.
how to verify a court summons
Contact the court through a number from its official website. Never verify or pay through a link or number contained in the message.
If you already responded
- If you entered any details, watch for identity theft and place a fraud alert if you shared personal data.
- If you paid, contact your bank immediately to try to stop or reverse it.
- Report the message at reportfraud.ftc.gov.