E-filing / court-system credential compromise
PACER or state e-filing credentials are in the wrong hands. Fraudulent filings or sealed-matter surveillance are now possible.
Compromised PACER/CM-ECF or state e-filing credentials used to file fraudulently or to surveil sealed matters. Notification path to the court clerk and the bar.
The first hour
What to do, in order.
- 01
Reset PACER and any state e-filing credentials; enable MFA where available.
- 02
Pull the filing history for the last 30 days on each affected account and compare to the firm's docket.
- 03
Notify the clerk of court in writing if any filing appears fraudulent.
- 04
Notify the state bar if the credentials belong to an attorney of record on a sealed matter.
Key decisions
The questions you'll be asked.
- Was a fraudulent filing made under our bar number?
- Treat as both a court matter and a bar matter. The clerk and bar counsel each need a written record from the firm.
Regulatory & ethical hooks
What the rules say.
- Local court rules; PACER terms of service
- State bar rules of professional conduct
Cited for orientation, not as legal advice. Your firm's ethics counsel and LPL carrier should be consulted on every specific incident.