What to Do If You Get Scam Calls Claiming a Legal Complaint Was Filed

Imagine you’re at home, and your phone rings. A serious voice says, “A legal complaint was filed in your name.” That kind of phone call can be scary. But here’s the truth: It might be a scam. Scammers often use legal words and scary threats to trick people into giving away money or personal information. These calls are fake, and you don’t have to fall for them.

In this article, you’ll learn how these scam calls work, how to tell the difference between a real and a fake legal suit, and what you can do to stay safe.

Understanding the Scam

Scam calls often start with a phony warning. The caller might say things like:

• “There is a court case against you.”
• “A legal complaint was filed, and you must act now.”
• “You are being sued and need to respond immediately.”

They may threaten you with arrest, jail time, or even a lawsuit. These scammers often use strong words to scare you — this is called a scare tactic. They want you to feel scared and act quickly without thinking.

Why do they sound so serious? Because scammers know that legal words like “legal action” or “court officials” make people panic. They might even pretend to be a process server, an attorney, or work for government agencies like the attorney general.

Is It Real or a Scam? How to Tell the Difference

Real legal complaints don’t come by robocall, text, or unsolicited voicemail. If you have a court case, you will get papers from a process server, your local court, or a registered agent like Rapid Registered Agent. These are the official ways papers are served.

Here are signs it’s a scam:

• The caller uses an aggressive or rude tone.
• You’re asked to provide personal information, like your social security number, date of birth, or credit card.
• They want you to send a wire, pay a fake bill, or clear an unpaid fine.
• You didn’t receive any letters or court documents before the phone call.

To stay safe, verify the claim. Call your local court, or ask your registered agent if anything was filed. Don’t trust the contact information that the scammer contacts you with.

Steps to Take If You Receive One of These Calls

So, what should you do if you receive a call like this?

1. Stay calm. Don’t panic. Remember, this is likely a scam.
2. Don’t give out your personal and financial information.
3. Hang up the call. Then block the phone number.
4. Report the scam to:
   • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
   • Your local law enforcement
   • Your phone carrier
5. If you work with a registered agent like Rapid Registered Agent, contact them to ask if a legal complaint was filed.

Still unsure? Don’t respond to the caller. Real legal issues won’t ask for money or personal information over the phone.

Protecting Yourself Going Forward

To stay safe from future scam calls, try these tips:

• Use a call blocking app to stop unwanted callers.
• Register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry.
• Talk to your family members, especially older adults, about these scams.
• If you haven’t already, sign up for registered agent services. This way, you’ll get real legal notices, securely and with privacy.

Scammers often target people by pretending to be a process server, demanding that you act fast. But real legal notices don’t come like that.

When to Contact a Legal Professional

If you’re still unsure about a claim or you think you might’ve given out sensitive information, contact a real attorney.

A lawyer can help you:

• Check if a real complaint or lawsuit exists
• Take legal steps to protect your identity
• Deal with possible identity theft

And if you’re using a registered agent like Rapid Registered Agent, they can help with getting official legal complaints safely and privately.

You Can Beat the Scam

Fake calls about a legal complaint are scary, but they’re avoidable. If you get one:

• Stay calm
• Verify it with real sources
• Report the scam
• Protect your privacy by never giving out social security or finance details

Don’t let a scammer scare you into handing over your savings or medical bills. Use tools, talk to people you trust, and count on services like Rapid Registered Agent — registered agent services without the hassle. No upsells, no hidden fees, no second-year price jumps.