Guidance on HMCTS related suspicious phone calls, emails, and text messages
To help our investigations report all HMCTS-related suspicious phone calls, emails, and text messages.
Suspicious phone calls
Scammers are using HMCTS telephone numbers to target the public by convincing them to hand over money and personal information such as national insurance numbers.
They may demand payment and claim to be from HMCTS or enforcement. If you’re unsure, do not pay anything and report the scam to Action Fraud.
Some calls impersonate HMCTS and may ask the caller to ‘press 1’ in order to speak with an advisor about unpaid fines or police warrants.
To protect yourself:
- HMCTS will never call asking for payment from 0300 0132 088 - this number is for inbound calls only
- be aware that HMCTS will not contact you by using an automated message
- always take a moment to stop and think before parting with money or your personal information, it could prevent you from falling victim to fraud
- remember, it’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests
- only criminals will try to rush or panic you
Emails
We’ve had a report of scam emails claiming to be from UK Courts. Please note we don’t use email addresses such as [email protected] or addresses using court locations such as [email protected].
If unsure, contact the court or tribunal directly. You can use our find a court or tribunal service to find contact details.
Debt collecting scam
Members of the public are being targeted by scammers claiming to be collecting money owed to ‘Media Services UK Ltd.’
The scammers have been contacting victims by phone and in some instances sending fake Notice of Enforcement documents claiming to have been issued by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS).
If anyone contacts you in relation to this, you should not make any payment or give out your bank details and report it to Action Fraud.
Bailiff and enforcement officer scams
We have become aware of scammers phoning members of the public, posing as County Court bailiffs, High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs) and Certificated Enforcement Agents (CEAs).
During the calls, the fraudsters claim that the person owes money, and demands that they transfer funds into a bank account.
We may contact you by phone to discuss a warrant of control and will offer to take debit or credit card payments over the phone.
However, we will never:
- telephone you to ask for your bank details
- telephone you to ask you to make a bank transfer using your sort code and account number
If anyone claiming to be a county court bailiff, an HCEO or CEA calls asking for this information, you should not make any payment or give out your bank details.
You should end the call and contact:
- your local county court, if the caller says they are an HMCTS bailiff. Contact details for county courts are on GOV.UK
- the company the person claims to work for, if the caller says they are a HCEO or CEA. Contact the High Court Enforcement Officers Association and the Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA) for more information
If you believe you have been a victim of this scam you should report the matter to:
Action Fraud online or on 0300 123 2040.
Help us beat the scammers
To help our investigations report all HMCTS related phishing emails, suspicious phone calls and text messages.
Even if you get the same or similar scam contacts often, report them.
- if you receive a suspicious text message, report it free of charge by forwarding the message to 7726
- report suspicious calls to Action Fraud
- if you believe you have been the victim of a scam and paid money, report it to Action Fraud or telephone 0300 123 2040
- if you’re suspicious about a call you receive, you can now also call 159 to check whether you’re being targeted by scammers
Updates to this page
Published 31 July 2023Last updated 20 September 2024 + show all updates
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New guidance added on debt collecting scam involving Media Services UK Ltd.
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Updated guidance on scam emails.
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First published.