Is a “Case Filed Against You” Email Legit? How to Verify Court Notices in the Philippines

This is practical legal information for the Philippines. It isn’t a substitute for advice from your own lawyer.

Why these emails are tricky

Scammers know that nothing rattles people faster than the words “case,” “subpoena,” or “warrant.” Phishing campaigns weaponize this fear to make you click a link, open an attachment, or pay a “fine.” At the same time, Filipino courts, prosecutors, and agencies do use electronic communications in limited, rule-based ways—so you can’t just ignore anything digital.

This guide explains how real notices are served in the Philippines, when email is legitimate, how to verify a message, and what to do next.

How real legal notices are served (Philippine rules in plain English)

1) Civil cases (you’re being sued)

Service of summons starts the court’s power over you. Under the Revised Rules of Civil Procedure, service is typically:
- Personal (handed to you by a sheriff/process server), or
- Substituted (to a person of suitable age at your residence), or
- By mail/courier, and in specific situations, by electronic means (e.g., if you consented or previously designated an email).
After valid service of summons, you usually have 30 calendar days to file an Answer (Rule 11). Missing this can lead to default.

Key takeaway: A first contact by email from a stranger claiming you’ve been sued is unusual unless you or your lawyer previously agreed to electronic service or already appeared in the case.

2) Criminal complaints at the prosecutor’s office (preliminary investigation)

A complainant files with the City/Provincial Prosecutor (National Prosecution Service).
The prosecutor issues a Subpoena requiring you to submit a Counter-Affidavit and evidence, typically within 10 days of receipt (Rule 112 / NPS practice).
Service is commonly by personal delivery or mail/courier; email or SMS may be used if you provided those details or as allowed by office circulars.

Key takeaway: Prosecutor subpoenas can be coordinated electronically, but you should be able to verify the case reference with the NPS office named in the notice.

3) Court subpoenas and orders in pending cases

Once a case is already in court and you (or your lawyer) are on record, courts increasingly use electronic service (e.g., to counsel-on-record’s email).
Notices usually include the case title, case number, branch number, and are sent to the email designated by counsel/party.

Key takeaway: Courts commonly email lawyers, not random members of the public. If you’re unrepresented and not yet part of a case, an out-of-the-blue court email is suspect.

4) Administrative, traffic, or agency matters

Some agencies (e.g., LTO, LGUs, regulatory bodies) notify parties electronically for hearings/penalties. Each has its own rules. You should be able to verify via the agency’s official contact channels.

When email can be legitimate

You consented to electronic service or designated an email address in prior pleadings, forms, or earlier case stages.
You are already a party to a case and the email goes to your counsel’s registered address.
The message is consistent with an ongoing matter you know about (same case number, court, and schedule previously discussed with your lawyer or the clerk of court).

Red flags that scream “scam”

Generic salutation (“Dear Citizen”) or wrong personal details.
No case title/number, or a number that looks odd (too short/too long, wrong court codes, inconsistent formatting).
Pressure tactics (“Pay now to avoid arrest”, countdown timers, threats of immediate imprisonment for a civil debt).
Executable/archived attachments (.exe, .zip, .rar) or links to URL shorteners or domains that are not clearly government sites.
Sender uses free email providers or spoofed addresses (the display name says “Supreme Court” but the real address is random).
Requests for GCash/PayMaya payments or cryptocurrency to “settle” a case.

How to verify a “case filed against you” email (step-by-step)

Do not click links or open attachments. Take screenshots instead.
Check the sender domain: legitimate Philippine government emails generally use .gov.ph domains (e.g., an address that plainly belongs to a court, prosecutor’s office, or agency). Be aware that spoofing is possible—domain alone is not conclusive.
Look for complete identifiers in the message:
- Case title (e.g., Juan Dela Cruz v. Pedro Santos),
- Case number (court cases have branch/location cues; prosecutor cases reference a I.S./NPS number),
- Court/office name and address (e.g., “RTC Branch 123, Quezon City, Hall of Justice, …”),
- Setting/hearing date, and
- Name/position of the issuing officer (e.g., Clerk of Court, Assistant City Prosecutor).
Verify directly using official channels you find yourself (not those in the email):
- Call or email the Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC) of the named court using numbers posted on the court’s official directory or the LGU/Hall of Justice operator.
- For prosecutor subpoenas, contact the City/Provincial Prosecutor’s Office listed on the DOJ/NPS directory.
- For agency notices, use the agency’s website or their verified hotline/socials.
Ask for a confirmatory copy: A legitimate office can confirm if a case with that number/title exists, whether you are a respondent/defendant, and the next step (e.g., deadline for Answer or Counter-Affidavit).
Cross-check the timeline:
- Civil Answer: generally 30 calendar days from valid service of summons (not from an unsolicited email).
- Prosecutor Counter-Affidavit: often 10 days from receipt of a proper subpoena with attachments. If the email demands instant payment or threatens arrest today, that’s a hallmark of fraud.
Preserve evidence:
- Save the email with full headers, attachments, and any SMS/Viber messages.
- Note dates/times and any money demands.
Report suspicious messages:
- NBI-CCD or PNP-ACG for cybercrime complaints,
- Your bank/e-wallet if you sent funds,
- NPC (National Privacy Commission) if your personal data appears misused.

What legitimate documents typically look like

Prosecutor Subpoena: Shows the I.S./NPS number, parties (complainant vs respondent), specific instruction to submit a Counter-Affidavit, the prosecutor’s name and signature, and often attaches the complaint-affidavit and evidence.
Court Summons/Order/Subpoena: Has the court name and branch, case title and number, the Clerk of Court’s name/signature (or judge’s for orders), a seal, and service details.
Consistent formatting: Government offices follow standard letterheads and reference numbers. Typos, mismatched logos, or off-looking seals are warning signs.

If the email turns out to be real

Calendar your deadline immediately.
Consult a lawyer (public attorney, IBP, or private counsel). Bring the verified notice and attachments.
Prepare filings:
- Civil case: draft an Answer (or Motion, if there are defects in service/jurisdiction).
- Prosecutor: prepare a Counter-Affidavit (subscribed before a prosecutor or authorized officer) with your evidence and witnesses.
File/serve properly: Follow the filing and service rules (personal, courier, or e-service if allowed/consented). Keep proof of filing/service.

If the email is a scam

Do not engage further.
Block and report the sender to your email provider.
File a report with NBI-CCD/PNP-ACG and your LGU cyber unit if available.
If you clicked or paid:
- Change passwords, enable 2FA, and run security scans.
- Notify your bank/e-wallet immediately to attempt recovery/blocks.
- Document losses for your police/NBI complaint.

Practical templates

A. Short email to verify with a court/prosecutor (copy/paste)

Subject: Verification Request re Alleged Case/Subpoena

Hello. I received an email claiming that a [summons/subpoena/order] was issued to me.

Name: [Your full name]
Alleged case/reference no.: [e.g., Crim. Case No./I.S. No.]
Parties (if any): [e.g., People v. You / Complainant v. You]
Alleged issuing office: [RTC Branch __ / City Prosecutor’s Office of ___]
Date on the notice: [____]

Kindly confirm whether this case/notice is on your docket and whether I am a party/recipient. If confirmed, please advise on the next step and deadline. I can provide a copy of the email upon request.

Thank you, [Your name & contact number]

B. Personal risk-reduction checklist

Use an email alias for public sign-ups; keep your main address private.
Never post scans of IDs or summons with visible barcodes/numbers.
Enable two-factor authentication on email and messaging apps.
Keep proof of residence current; outdated addresses can complicate service questions.

Frequently asked questions

1) Can I be arrested just because I ignored an email? No. Arrests require a warrant (for most offenses) or situations for warrantless arrest defined by law. An email—especially from an unknown sender—does not create a valid arrest basis.

2) Is paying a “conciliation fee” via e-wallet a thing? Not the way scammers describe it. Government fees are paid through official channels (cashier, authorized payment partners) and come with ORs (official receipts). Random wallet transfers to individuals are a red flag.

3) What if my employer received an email about my supposed case? Tell HR not to click anything and to forward the message to you as an attachment. Verify with the court/office directly and consider a formal data privacy complaint if your information was misused.

4) The email shows a real court logo and address. Logos are easy to copy. Treat it as unverified until the court/prosecutor confirms using contact details you found yourself.

Bottom line

First contact by email about a brand-new court case is usually suspect unless you consented to e-service or are already in an ongoing matter.
Never click unfamiliar links or pay anyone based on an email alone.
Verify with the court/prosecutor/agency using official channels you independently locate.
Once verified, act fast on deadlines—30 days to answer civil summons, about 10 days to respond to prosecutor subpoenas, unless a different period applies.
When in doubt, consult a Philippine lawyer immediately.