Fake Court Notices Continue To Proliferate
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
"Courts around the country are circulating warnings about virus-bearing emails that purport to be notices of court hearings.
"The messages, often dubbed a "notice to appear" or "warrant to appear," are written as if they were sent by a court clerk and the subject line usually refers to a hearing and states a docket number.
"Recipients are told of a warrant requiring that they appear in court at a certain time on a specified date for a hearing and must bring with them all documents and witnesses.
"Some of the messages give a reason for the hearing—usually illegal software use—and many have return email addresses suggesting they were sent by prominent law firms, including Jones Day; Hogan Lovells; Latham & Watkins; Dechert; Perkins Coie; and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom.
"The emails typically instruct recipients to open and read attachments that supposedly contain additional details. Anyone who clicks through is infected with malware that can steal passwords, download other malware and/or turn the receiving computer into part of a "botnet" that attacks other machines and systems.
"The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts sent out a "Public Alert" on Jan. 14, captioned "Scam Emails About Phony Court Cases Carry Computer Virus." It cautioned: "Unless you are actively involved in a case in federal court and have consented to receive court notifications electronically, you generally will not be served with court documents, electronically."
Full article after the jump...