SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (WBC/DANA COMM.) — Scammers are using the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois’ name to trick people into clicking a potentially harmful internet link. The Clerk’s Office has been alerted that individuals in this area and other states have received emails informing them that they had been summoned for federal jury service. The email urges recipients to click a link. Federal courts do not issue jury summons via email.

Anyone receiving a legitimate jury summons will receive that information via physical mail. Do no click any link included in an email from an unknown sender. You can authenticate an email by contacting the Clerk’s Office Help Desk message system at 866-867-3169. They will verify the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois is not requiring any action from you and that the scam call did not come from the court.

Jurors are never asked for credit card or banking information so do not divulge personal information or financial information to unknown callers, including those who claim to work for a government agency. Those receiving a scam jury summons email are encouraged to report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at ftccomplaintassistant.gov