Scam 'lawsuit' calls and emails demand payment to avoid arrest — but a real summons must never be ignored. Paste what you got for an instant read.
Don't panic — but don't ignore it either. A real summons you must answer; a 'pay now or be arrested' call is always a scam. This check tells you which one you're holding.
Quick answer — A real court summons names a court and case number, identifies the parties, states a deadline to respond, and is delivered by proper service — not a phone call or email demanding money. You cannot be arrested over a civil debt, so a 'pay now or be arrested' call is always a scam. A genuine summons must not be ignored — missing the deadline risks a default judgment.
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How to tell a real court summons / lawsuit from a fake
A genuine summons is issued by a named real court, carries a case/docket number, names the parties and the court address, states a deadline to respond, and is delivered by proper service (in person or mail) — not by a phone call or email demanding money. A real summons is the one you must act on.
Red flags
A call, voicemail, email, or text saying 'you've been sued, pay now or be arrested'.
Demand for payment by gift card or wire to make the case 'go away'.
No case number, no court name, no parties.
Threats of immediate arrest (courts don't work that way for civil suits).
What to do
Paste it above to see if it has the elements of a real summons.
If it looks REAL: do not ignore it — note the deadline and contact a lawyer or legal aid now.
If it's a scam (pay-or-be-arrested call): don't pay, don't share info, report it.
Verify any case independently by calling the court using a number from the court's official site.
FAQ
How do I know if a lawsuit notice is real?
A real summons names a court and case number, names the parties, gives a response deadline, and is properly served — not delivered as a phone call demanding payment. Paste it above to check. If it's genuine, don't ignore it.
Can you be arrested for not paying in a civil lawsuit?
No — a civil lawsuit doesn't lead to arrest, and no real court calls to demand immediate payment to avoid jail. That's a scam script. But a real summons left unanswered can lead to a default judgment, so verify and respond.
Official sources
This guidance is compiled from official U.S. government sources. For your specific situation, verify directly:
Is This Real?