The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts on behalf of the federal judiciary issued a notice warning attorneys across the U.S. of a cybercrime that may target them in a very specific way. According to the announcement, attorneys are being targeted with fake electronic filing notifications, in which emails purporting to come from the federal judiciary’s case management/electronic case files (CM/ECF) system led recipients to a malicious website with computer viruses.

According to the IT Security Office for the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the fake “Notices of Electronic Filing” prompt recipients to reply immediately. Recipients are then sent an email containing a link to access fake case documents that direct users to a malicious website.

“To avoid becoming a victim of the scam, be sure to always validate cases and case documentation directly through your local federal court’s CM/ECF system,” the announcement stated. “Never download attachments or click on links from unofficial or questionable sources.”

If you receive a suspicious email regarding a federal court case, contact the federal court in your jurisdiction before opening any attachments or links.

Visit the federal court scams page for more information about scams targeting people who interact with the federal courts.