How do I know if a process server is legit?

Education Law Forum
1

I had someone pull up to a house I was visiting and leave a note saying they’re a civil process server with some reference numbers. They didn’t hand me any papers directly, just left a note asking me to call. I looked them up and saw their CPS license expired in 2015. Is this legit or some kind of intimidation tactic? Anyone dealt with something like this before?

2

That’s super weird. Process servers usually have to hand you the papers directly or leave them with someone at your house. Leaving a note sounds sketchy.

3

Xian said:
That’s super weird. Process servers usually have to hand you the papers directly or leave them with someone at your house. Leaving a note sounds sketchy.

Yeah, I thought so too. I didn’t open the door when they knocked, and they just left the note.

4

Xian said:
That’s super weird. Process servers usually have to hand you the papers directly or leave them with someone at your house. Leaving a note sounds sketchy.

Definitely sounds off. If their license is expired, they probably shouldn’t be doing this.

5

@Riley
Exactly. That’s what made me wonder if it’s even legit.

6

I wouldn’t call them. They have to serve you papers properly. Just leaving a note doesn’t sound legit to me.

7

Mackenzie said:
I wouldn’t call them. They have to serve you papers properly. Just leaving a note doesn’t sound legit to me.

Good point. I wasn’t sure if I should call them back or just wait.

8

@Riley
Yeah, I’d wait until they actually serve you with something. Don’t contact them unless you get real papers.

9

If their license is expired, they might not even be allowed to serve papers anymore. Maybe check with a lawyer to be sure.

10

Zola said:
If their license is expired, they might not even be allowed to serve papers anymore. Maybe check with a lawyer to be sure.

That’s what I’m thinking. I’ll probably ask a lawyer just to be safe.

11

@Riley
Good call. Better to be safe with stuff like this.

12

IDK if they can even leave papers at a random house you were visiting. I thought they had to serve you directly or leave it with someone at your home.

13

Sonny said:
IDK if they can even leave papers at a random house you were visiting. I thought they had to serve you directly or leave it with someone at your home.

That’s what I was wondering too. I’m not even sure if they could serve me at that house since it’s not where I live.

14

I wouldn’t contact them. Just wait to see if they actually serve you. Sounds like a weird intimidation tactic.

15

Fintan said:
I wouldn’t contact them. Just wait to see if they actually serve you. Sounds like a weird intimidation tactic.

Thanks! I think I’ll just wait and see if they try again. I’m not going to call them.