The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office and Ellis County District Court are warning the public about an email scam that falsely claims the recipient is scheduled to appear in District Court.

“Callers have reported receiving email messages directing them to appear in court on a specific date and time, and bearing the name of a fictitious court official,” Sheriff’s Detective Brad Ricke said in a news release.

“Most of those receiving the false notices have lived out-of-state and do not have any cases with the District Court,” he added.

“The emails also instruct recipients to read a court notice that is attached. The attachment contains a computer virus. Do not open the attachment,” Ricke warned. “Delete the email.”

The email messages are not coming from the Ellis County District Court.

According to Ricke, the District Court “does not send unsolicited emails containing court papers. All District Court notices regarding court dates, warrants or other aspects are either personally, residentially or certified mailed to interested parties through the U.S. Postal Service.”

Ricke said other courts across the country have reported similar incidents involving false emails.

Anyone with questions about a notice received from the Ellis County District Court should call the court  at  (785)-628-9415.