We’re not trying to be alarmist when we say scams are on the rise. But there is significant danger to residents if they are not careful. The United States Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that South Floridians lost more than $12 million to impersonation scams last year. The threat is real, and my office is Here to Help.

The best way to protect yourself is to spot the signs. In one type of scam, fraudsters impersonating the Sheriff’s office call and claim you missed jury duty, threatening to arrest you if you do not pay a fine or warrant.

Our office will never call or threaten you. Official notices from our office come through the mail. If you are in doubt, we have jury service resources available at mypalmbeachclerk.com/jury.

In another scam, criminals send a text or email claiming your actual unpaid traffic ticket (all information is public record) must be paid online, often including a suspicious link to an unverified payment site.

Again, no one from our office will call you to pay your traffic tickets. Do not click or tap links in unsolicited messages. If you have questions about a traffic ticket, check with our office directly at mypalmbeachclerk.com/traffic.

Real estate is a hot target. Criminals file fake deeds to steal property ownership or commit mortgage fraud. You may receive unexplained mail regarding your property or unexpected legal notices. Don’t panic.

Sign up for the free Property Fraud Alert service to receive email notifications about document filings in your name. It’s free and easy to set up at mypalmbeachclerk.com/propertyfraud.

Here are some tips to keep yourself safe from these criminals:

• Watch for threats of arrest, requests for payment via gift cards or wire transfers, pressure to act quickly and unexpected text messages.
• Real court staff will never demand payment over the phone or threaten arrest.
• Verify tickets directly with the Clerk’s office or through the official payment portal.
• Never give out personal or financial information to unsolicited callers. Never give out your Social Security number.
• Sign up for the free Property Fraud Alert service to get notified about document filings in your name.