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How to tell if someone is a process server?

Home How to tell if someone is a process server?

 

When someone unexpectedly shows up at your door with legal documents, it can be unnerving. Naturally, you might wonder if this person is a legitimate process server or a scammer. Knowing what to look for can protect you and ensure your legal case proceeds correctly. 🕵️

 

 

What a Real Process Server Does and Doesn’t Do ⚖️

 

A legitimate process server has a very specific job: to deliver legal documents and nothing more. Here are the key indicators that the person at your door is a professional

 

They Provide Clear Identification 🆔

 

Firstly, a real process server will have no problem identifying themselves. Many states require them to be licensed, registered, or bonded. As a result, they can provide a business card or a license/registration number that you can verify. Furthermore, they are typically willing to state their name and the company they work for. A process server from a company like Lafayette Process Servers LLC in Louisiana, for example, will readily show you identification.

 

They Don’t Ask for Money 💰

 

A major red flag is a request for payment. A legitimate process server will never, under any circumstances, ask you for money. Their fee is paid by the person or law firm who hired them to serve the documents. If someone demands a “delivery fee” or “service fee,” you are likely dealing with a scammer.

 

They Don’t Threaten You 😠

 

While a process server must be persistent, they are professionals. They will not threaten you, use aggressive language, or try to intimidate you. Their job is simply to hand over the paperwork. Any threats of arrest or further legal consequences beyond what is in the documents themselves are a sign of a fraudulent individual.

 

They Don’t Wear a Uniform or a Badge 👮

 

Generally, process servers do not wear uniforms or badges. They are not law enforcement officers and do not have the authority to act as such. Therefore, if a person claiming to be a process server shows up in a uniform with a badge, this is a clear sign that they are not legitimate.

 

 

How to Verify a Process Server’s Legitimacy 🔎

 

If you have any doubts, you can and should take steps to verify the person’s identity and the documents they are attempting to serve.

 

  • Ask for Credentials: Request to see their business card, state-issued ID, or license number.

 

  • Check the Documents: Look for key details on the paperwork. Legitimate court documents will have a case number, the name of the issuing court, and the names of the involved parties. If these details are missing or look suspicious, do not accept them.

 

  • Contact the Court: You can call the court clerk’s office listed on the documents to confirm that a case exists and that a process server was hired for it.

 

  • Verify with the Law Firm: If the documents were sent by a law firm, call them directly to verify that they hired a process server and that the person at your door is the one they authorized.

 

Companies like Lafayette Process Servers LLC go an extra step to prove their legitimacy. For instance, their servers use body cameras to record service attempts, providing undeniable, time-stamped video evidence that can be presented in court. This level of transparency offers clients and recipients a high degree of confidence.

 

 

Disclaimer The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws regarding process serving and proper identification can vary significantly by state and jurisdiction. You should consult with a legal professional or the appropriate authorities if you have specific questions or concerns about the legitimacy of a process server.

 

Sources 🌐

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • https://metairie-process-servers.com/best-process-server-in-new-orleans-louisiana/

 

 

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