Scams and Fraud

Please be aware of the following scams and frauds customers have reported to this office.

Fraudulent Tax Deed Surplus Claims Scam

Individuals are impersonating Jupiter Asset Recovery (JAR) and submitting fraudulent tax deed surplus claims in Florida counties, including Escambia, Collier, and Sarasota. The owner of Jupiter Asset Recovery, LLC (JAR), has confirmed the claims are fraudulent. If you receive one of these claims, please be aware that it is not legitimate, and remember:

Official JAR emails come from jupiterasset.contact@gmail.com, not jupiterassetrecoveryllc@gmail.com.
Letters may have unusual formatting, incorrect mailing addresses, or other inconsistencies.
Notary stamps may contain typos or the wrong notary number, or other fraudulent credentials.
Sunbiz business records may list an address that does not match the official Sunbiz website.
Identification documents (driver’s licenses, passports, etc.) may contain errors or inconsistencies.
Claims may appear on older surplus fund cases.

If you have been a victim of this or any other scam, contact your financial institution and your local sheriff’s office.

Department of Revenue Impersonation Scam

This is a text message scam where individuals are impersonating the Florida Department of Revenue in an attempt to gain access to personal banking information. If you receive one of these messages, please be aware it is not legitimate, and remember:

The Department of Revenue does not send text messages about refunds.
Do not reply or click links.
You can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission, the Florida Office of the Attorney General, or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
If you have been a victim of this or any other scam, contact your financial institution and your local sheriff’s office.

Property Deeds for $89-$100

Property Records, LLC, also known as County Records, LLC, sends property owners an offer in the postal mail to provide them with a copy of their deed and property details for a cost. The price can vary from $89 to over $100.

You can get a free copy of your deed through the Clerk's Public Records Hub. For details about your property, visit the Manatee County Property Appraiser's Office at www.ManateePAO.gov.

Missed Jury Duty

A phone scam in which individuals impersonate law enforcement targets unsuspecting citizens by phone. The scam claims the person missed jury duty and demands they pay a fine or risk imprisonment. Usually, scammers ask individuals to pay the fine with gift cards.

How to Immediately Recognize a Jury Scam:

Phone Calls Regarding Missed Jury Duty: The Clerk & Comptroller's office never contacts jurors by phone. The Clerk's Office sends all official jury-related communications through postal mail. It is a red flag if you receive a call claiming you missed jury duty.
Aggressive and Threatening Behavior: Law Enforcement officials will never resort to threats or intimidation tactics. It is likely a scam if the caller displays aggressive behavior or demands immediate action. Be cautious and remain skeptical.
Demands for Immediate Payment: Scammers often insist on prompt payment of fines to avoid arrest. It's important to note that the Clerk's Office or law enforcement will never ask for payment over the phone. It is a scam if the caller instructs you to purchase gift cards, especially green dot cards, as they are equivalent to cash and untraceable. Never provide gift card information over the phone under any circumstances.

If you encounter a suspected jury phone scam, report it immediately to the relevant authorities. The following contact information can help you take action:

Clerk's Jury Office: (941) 749-1800 ext. 4280
Manatee County Sheriff's Office: (941) 747-3011
Florida Attorney General: 1 (866) 966-7226

Public Records Scam

Scammers use public records to target citizens with pending traffic and criminal court cases. The scammers will use information found in court records that are readily available to the public online to convince you to give them money.

The Court or Clerk will never contact you demanding payment.

If you need to pay a traffic citation, you can do so on our website or in person at our office.

Traffic Citation Scam

Scammers pose as law enforcement officers and call you with a threat of arrest due to an unpaid or late citation. No law enforcement officer will call you with a threat of arrest due to an unpaid or late citation. Never provide payment or personal information over the phone. The Clerk of Court and the Department of Motor Vehicles will send you a written notice on official office letterhead for late or unpaid citations.

If you need to pay a traffic citation, you can do so on our website or in person at our office.

Spoofing

Spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity. Scammers often use neighbor spoofing, so it appears that an incoming call is coming from a local number or spoof a number from a company or a government agency you may already know and trust. If you answer, they use scam scripts to steal your money or valuable personal information, which can be used in fraudulent activity.

Visit the Federal Communications Commission website to watch a video to learn more about spoofing and how to avoid being scammed.

If you think you've been the victim of a spoofing scam, you can file a complaint with the FCC.

E-Filing Portal Scam

An email scam where the email may appear like it's coming from the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (electronic filing system) or the Clerk of Court asking you to open an attachment or click on a link to view a summons for court or jury duty. The attachment or link may download a virus or attempt to steal your personal information. The Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller will never email you a jury duty summons or court appearance. If you are summoned for jury duty or to appear in court, you will receive an official notice in the postal mail from our office.