The legal system relies on trust and due process—but fake process servers operate in the shadows.
Using fear, deception, and manipulation, these fraudsters:
- Extort money from unsuspecting victims
- Impersonate law enforcement or court officials
- Falsify service records, potentially derailing real cases
So, how do they do it? Here are the most common fake process server scams—and how to protect yourself.
1. The “You’re About to Be Arrested” Scam
How It Works
A scammer posing as a process server calls, emails, or even shows up at your door, claiming:
- “There’s a lawsuit against you, and if you don’t act now, the police will arrest you.”
- “You must pay a fine or fee to stop the court action.”
- “If you don’t comply, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.”
They pressure victims to pay immediately via credit card, bank transfer, or gift cards.
Why It’s Fake
- Process servers do NOT issue arrest warrants.
- They don’t collect payments or fines.
- Real lawsuits come with court documentation—NOT phone threats.
What to Do
- Hang up immediately.
- Refuse to engage.
- Report the scam to your local police, court, or attorney general’s office.
2. The Fake Fine or Legal Fee Scheme
How It Works
A scammer pretends to be a process server, law office, or court official, claiming:
- “You must pay a service fee before we can deliver your legal documents.”
- “This is a court-ordered fine—failure to pay will result in penalties.”
- “Wire the money now, or your wages will be garnished.”
Why It’s Fake
- Process servers don’t collect money on behalf of courts.
- Courts communicate through official mail or attorneys—not aggressive payment demands.
- Garnishments and legal penalties require formal court proceedings.
What to Do
- NEVER send money or share financial information.
- Contact the court directly to verify any claims.
- If a real lawsuit exists, consult an attorney—never pay a random caller.
3. The “Phantom Serve” (Fake Service of Process)
How It Works
A scammer falsely claims they served you legal documents, but:
- You never received anything.
- They can’t provide proof of service.
- The court has no record of a case against you.
They may even forge an Affidavit of Service, tricking courts into thinking you were properly served.
Why It’s Fake
- Process servers must provide clear, documented proof of service.
- Court records show if a real case exists.
- Fake service can invalidate lawsuits and lead to fraud charges.
What to Do
- Check with the court to verify any legal filings.
- Demand proof of service—real process servers use timestamps, GPS data, or witnesses.
- Report fake process servers to state licensing boards or NAPPS (National Association of Professional Process Servers).
4. The High-Pressure Phone Call Trick
How It Works
A scammer calls, using aggressive tactics like:
- “We’ve tried serving you multiple times—you MUST meet us immediately, or face legal action.”
- “We’re coming to your home or workplace within the hour. Be ready to pay the required fee.”
- “We will contact your employer and serve you in front of your boss.”
They intimidate victims into panicking and paying money before verifying anything.
Why It’s Fake
- Process servers don’t demand money over the phone.
- They don’t warn people ahead of time—they just serve the documents.
- No legitimate process server will threaten you.
What to Do
- Ask for a case number and call the court directly—chances are, the lawsuit doesn’t exist.
- Refuse to pay anything over the phone.
- Block the number and report the scam.
5. The Fake Court Notice Email or Text
How It Works
Scammers send emails or text messages pretending to be from a court, stating:
- “You have an upcoming court date—click here to view your case details.”
- “Your legal documents are ready for delivery—confirm your personal information to proceed.”
- “Failure to respond within 24 hours will result in legal action.”
Their goal?
- Steal personal information.
- Get victims to click malicious links.
- Demand payments for fake legal cases.
Why It’s Fake
- Courts do NOT send legal notices via text or random emails.
- Legitimate legal documents are delivered by hand, certified mail, or through attorneys.
- Government agencies don’t pressure you into fast responses.
What to Do
- NEVER click suspicious links—they may contain malware.
- Verify any case details directly with the court.
- Report phishing attempts to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and delete the message.
How to Protect Yourself from Fake Process Servers
Know Your Rights & Red Flags
- Real process servers don’t threaten arrest or demand payment.
- Court cases are public records—verify any claim with the courthouse.
- You can ask for process server credentials and verify their licensing (if required in your state).
Verify Before You Act
- Call the court or your attorney if someone claims to serve you.
- Ask for written proof—legitimate legal matters always leave a paper trail.
- Don’t panic—scammers thrive on fear and urgency.
Report Scams to Protect Others
- Local law enforcement (if threats are made).
- Your state attorney general’s office (for fraud cases).
- Professional process serving associations (for industry violations).
The Bottom Line: Stay Smart, Stay Safe
Scammers exploit fear and confusion, but once you know their tricks, they lose their power.
If a process server seems suspicious:
- Verify their credentials.
- Check with the courts.
- Never hand over money or personal information.
Because justice moves on truth, not deception.
Testimonials from Our Clients
What Clients Say About Our People-First Approach
Excellent work. Right to the point with instructions what to send them and what their procedure was. Had my papers served right after the holiday weekend and a copy of the declaration was emailed to me and one was mailed led to the court. No surprises. I’d recommend them to others. Oh! Before I forget, what I like the most was that they answered the phone both times I called. This is rare nowadays.
I contacted this particular process server office and spoke with the gentleman named Justin. Justin was extremely helpful and patient helping me through the process. I found it extremely impressive how well he communicated and responded so quickly to all my phone calls, emails or concerns.I highly recommend this business.
The process server who helped us was Justin, he was on time with everything and professional during the whole situation, and served my ex wife in a timely manner! Highly recommended.
The best process service in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Very professional staff, people friendly, and detail-oriented. Addressed all my concerns and treated me like a "human" not an object.-Thank to all the team members at "The Process Server" for such an amazing job! They care about people.
Worked with me on a difficult serve, last minute changes, high traffic area delivery. Good communication skills, professional, efficient and tactful. Would use them again!!! Many Thanks !!!
I cannot stress how excellent this process server was. When the sheriff's office told me it could take weeks to months to service, I immediately called these guys and they got it done the next day. Cannot tell you how safe i feel now thanks to this wonderful company. Thank you!
Justin and his server processer are fabulous and professional. My gratitude to all, who had participated in this legal matter.
I’ve had to use them over the years and always had the best customer service. Great communication and great timely manner. Highly recommended!
The Process Server was outstanding. They responded quickly to our request, including making sure our documents were served the next morning. Their customer service was excellent and really compassionate about our situation. They quickly uploaded proof that the documents were served to AZPoint. I would definitely use them again! Thank you!
Justin is the office staff member that did the coordination and John is the staff member that performed the actual document serving.Both super great individuals. Both professional. Both communicated extremely well. I received a follow up phone call from Justin (after the serve) to ensure I filed my paperwork with the court (given that this was a rush serve situation). I also received a confirmation call from John after the serve was completed, informing me how the serve was received.I would definitely use them again! You have to be careful what process servers you use. These guys are really good and professional. —Todd
Tried using a different process server prior to them to save some cash, but the other company struggled every step of the way from the very beginning. Decided to reach out to this company and they handled everything very smoothly and were able to get my person served quick. Communicated along the way, answered all of my questions and overall made me feel much more at ease over the whole situation. Will be using them more in the future and have already recommended them to anyone who needs a process server
They were amazing! And when they say fast service they mean FAST! Process server John was proficient and got the job done in less than a week. I communicated with Justin the whole way and he was amazing on letting me know what steps I should take next! I really appreciate them and will for sure use them if I ever need any paperwork served!
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We're here to assist you with any legal support services you may require. Although our main office is located in Phoenix, we have dedicated local teams to handle all location-specific tasks efficiently. Here's how you can get in touch with us.
The Process Server
13416 North 32nd Street #110F, Phoenix, Arizona 85032, United States
Phone: +1 (602) 675-2333
Email: [email protected]
For further details, please refer to the Justice Courts Case Search.