Newsroom

NewsroomGet the news you need along with important resources to help you view public records Service Areas A-Z Service List About Us Civil & Property Criminal & Juvenile Family Finance & Comptroller Inspector General Probate & Mental Health Recording & Tax Deeds Traffic, Parking & Ordinance Press ReleasesResourcesScam Alerts 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2026 Press Releases March 31, 2026: Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Ken Burke has been nationally recognized as a Government Champions 250 honoree, a prestigious distinction celebrating exceptional public servants across the United States.READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. March 26, 2026: Pinellas Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is Awarded the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the Third Consecutive Year. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. March 24, 2026: The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is alerting residents to a recent text message scam falsely claiming to be associated with Clerk Ken Burke or the State of Florida. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. March 10, 2026: The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is pleased to announce the upcoming in-person Operation Green Light Event. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. February 20, 2026: Love was in full bloom as the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller hosted his 20th Annual Valentine’s Day Group Wedding and Vow Renewal Ceremonies on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at the picturesque Florida Botanical Gardens. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE January 5, 2026: The Pinellas County Clerk’s office is pleased to announce the 2026 Passport Day Event taking place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at multiple convenient locations READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE 2025 Press Releases December 17, 2025: Pinellas County Finance Professionals Are Awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE December 12, 2025: Registration is open for the Pinellas Clerk's 20th Annual Valentine's Day Group Wedding Ceremony READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE November 17, 2025: Pinellas Clerk's Office invites couples to say "I do" in a Winter Wonderland READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE September 5, 2025: The Pinellas Clerk’s office is bringing frightful fun to the wedding aisle with the return of its fourth annual Halloween-themed “Scare-amonies!” READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. August 11, 2025: Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Ken Burke, is warning citizens about a recurring jury duty scam targeting residents of Pinellas County. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. June 2, 2025: Get ready to say "I do" where fandom and romance collide! The Pinellas Clerk of the Circuit Court of Comptroller proudly offers the first annual Cosplay Wedding Ceremonies to give fans of sci-fi, fantasy, anime, and superheroes the change to celebrate their love in style! READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. May 28, 2025: The Pinellas Clerk's office has received reports about a new scam being circulated by a third party falsely claiming to represent FedEx and offering to process passport applications. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. May 27, 2025: Florida Clerks announce the threat of a new text scam threatening license suspensions if recipient does not pay bogus traffic citation. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. April 14, 2025: Government Finance Officers Association is pleased to announce that the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller has received GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget.READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. April 14, 2025: The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is pleased to announce an informative Child Support Legal Clinic. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. March 18, 2025: The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is pleased to announce the upcoming in-person Operation Green Light Event. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. February 20, 2025: Love Was in the Air for the Pinellas Clerk's 19th Annual Valentine's Day Group Wedding Ceremony. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. February 4, 2025: The North County Customer Information and Service Center (29582 U.S. 19 North, Clearwater, FL 33761) will be temporarily relocated to the Fessler Center at 3165 McMullen Booth Rd., Bldg. B., Clearwater, FL 33761. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. 2024 Press Releases December 23, 2024: Couples wishing to be married on the most romantic day of the year can now register for the Pinellas Clerk's 19th Annual Valentine's Day group wedding ceremony. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. December 23, 2024: The Annual Passport Event is for first-time passport applicants, citizens with expired passports over 15 years from the issue date, and minors who need passport renewal. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. November 21, 2024: Couples seeking seasonal sparkle for their special wedding day are welcome at the Pinellas County Clerk's Winter Wonderland Wedding Ceremony Room at the Clearwater Courthouse located at 315 Court Street, Room 150, Clearwater, Florida 33756. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. November 18, 2024: Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Pinellas County for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. November 1, 2024: Pinellas County is Awarded the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. September 10, 2024: The Pinellas County Value Adjustment Board (“Board”) hereby gives notice that on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, commencing at 11:00 A.M. in the Clerk’s Large Conference Room, Fourth Floor, Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756, a public hearing will be held regarding the First Certification of the 2024 tax rolls and to consider any and all other matters that may legally come before said Board. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. September 9, 2024: Back by popular demand, the 3rd annual wedding "scare-amonies" are available in the Pinellas County Clerk's Halloween-themed ceremony room from October 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024. Couples can opt for this spooktacular opportunity at the downtown Clearwater office. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. June 5, 2024: The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its outstanding budget. This prestigious award represents a significant achievement and reflects the Clerk's commitment to excellence in governmental budgeting. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. May 9, 2024: The Pinellas Clerk of Courts is pleased to announce the upcoming Operation Geen Light Driver License Reinstatement Event to assist eligible Pinellas County Customers with reinstating their suspended driver licenses. The event will be held in-person on Saturday, June 15, 2024. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. March 13, 2024: In response to the growing demand for passport services, the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court is delighted to announce its upcoming Passport Day Event. This special occasion, extending office hours exclusively for processing passport applications, aims to assist citizens who find it challenging to submit their passport applications during regular business hours. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. April 25, 2024: The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Division of Inspector General, has been honored with a prestigious 2023 Distinguished Knighton Award for best performance audit by the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA). This national recognition celebrates excellence in local government performance audits among ALGA's 300 member organizations across the U.S. and Canada. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. 2023 Press Releases December 21, 2023: Love is in the air, and the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court is thrilled to invite couples to join in a celebration of love at the 18th Annual Valentine's Day Wedding. This heartwarming ceremony will unite couples in marriage at the stunning Florida Botanical Garden's Wedding Garden on Wednesday, February 14th, 2024, starting at 2 pm. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE October 5, 2023: Come say “I Boo” with your partner at the second Annual Pinellas County Clerk’s Office Halloween-themed ceremony room. Beginning Wednesday, October 4, 2023, and running through Tuesday, October 31, 2023, couples can opt for the Clerk’s Office to officiate a “Scare-amony” in a Halloween-decorated ceremony room located at our Downtown Clearwater Office. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE June 30, 2023: The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers (FCCC) presented the Pinellas Clerk's Office with the Recognition of Excellence Certificate for participation in the third annual Best Practices Excellence Program. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. June 9, 2023: The Pinellas County Clerk's office is expanding its text messaging alert program to connect with the citizens it serves. The enhanced program will send payment reminders through text messages for payments due on all case types and provide ways for customers to pay fines and fees associated with their cases. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. March 13, 2023: The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners designated March 20-24th as Government Finance Professionals Week. The week recognizes government professionals and the vital services they provide. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. February 21, 2023: Virtual Operation Green Light event helps drivers save collection fees and get back on the road. Registration begins March 24th. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. February 20, 2023: Couples Celebrate Love During Pinellas Clerk's 17th Annual Valentine's Day Wedding Ceremony- Couples eagerly awaited their chance to say I Do on the most romantic day of the year. The Florida Botanical Gardens was a beautiful backdrop for couples as they professed their love for one another. During the Clerk's 17th Annual Valentine's Day Wedding ceremony, 25 couples were married, and 26 couples renewed their wedding vows. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE. February 4, 2023: Registration for the Pinellas Clerk's group wedding ceremony has reached full capacity. On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, the Clerk will officiate two wedding ceremonies for 60 couples tying the knot and renewing their vows. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. 2022 Press Releases December 20, 2022: The Pinellas County Clerk's office continues its mission to provide excellent customer service by offering extended passport hours for citizens during Passport Day on Saturday, January 28th, from 8 am to 1 pm. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE December 20, 2022: Couples looking to create a memorable experience on the most romantic day of the year can register for the Pinellas Clerk's 17th Annual Valentine's Day group wedding ceremony at the beautiful Florida Botanical Gardens on February 14, 2023. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. November 29, 2022: Pinellas County Clerk's Office Shines a light on Domestic Violence Survivors The Pinellas County Clerk's office continues its mission to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month through a series of clerk-wide initiatives and fundraisers. This year's theme, "Shining a Light on the Cause," highlights the work to humanize survivor stories beyond statistics. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE October 15, 2022: Pinellas County Clerk's Office Offers Themed Wedding Ceremony Room The Recording Services Department at the Downtown Clearwater Location now offers a themed wedding ceremony room for couples to commemorate special holidays throughout the year. Starting with Halloween, couples can choose to dress in costume to celebrate their love with a special Scare-amony. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. October 6, 2022: Pinellas County Clerk's Office Staff Issue Marriage License ahead of Hurricane Ian Pinellas County Clerk of Court employees went above and beyond to make one couple’s wedding dreams come true. Christopher Rodgers and Sarah Bermudez, an out-of-state couple who are traveling missionaries from Dallas, Texas, found themselves in desperate need of a marriage license for their upcoming wedding. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE September 26, 2022: Pinellas County Clerk's Office Announces Office Closure ahead of Hurricane Ian Due to the projected path of Hurricane Ian, The Pinellas County Clerk's office will be closed from Tuesday, September 27th until Friday, September 30th. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE August 16, 2022: Pinellas County Clerk's Office launches new Text Messaging Alerts Service The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller's office has launched a new text messaging program that will enhance the office's ability to connect with the citizens it serves. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE May 13, 2022: Pinellas County Clerk's Office Employees Hold Fundraiser for Ukraine Relief Efforts Employees from the Pinellas County Clerk's Office held a fundraiser to aid those affected by the Ukraine Crisis. $1,000 was raised to support the relief efforts for the people of Ukraine. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE March 2, 2022: Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court to host 2022 Operation Green Light event Operation Green Light is an annual driver’s license reinstatement event that provides an opportunity for eligible Pinellas County customers to pay overdue court and traffic fines, while also saving additional fees. The Clerk’s online virtual registration portal will be available starting Wednesday, March 30th through noon on Saturday, April 2nd. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE January 25, 2022: Spots are filling up quickly for Pinellas Clerk’s 16th Annual Valentine’s Day Wedding Ceremony FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Up to fifty couples are expected to get married or renew their vows on Monday, February 14th in the beautiful Wedding Garden of the Florida Botanical Gardens. Couples must register online no later than Tuesday, February 1, 2022 by visiting https://pinellasclerkvalentineswedding.eventbrite.com READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE 2021 Press Releases December 16, 2021: Registration Now Open for Pinellas Clerk’s 16th Annual Valentine’s Day Wedding Ceremony FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - On Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14, in the picturesque Florida Botanical Gardens, the Clerk will officiate up to thirty weddings and twenty vow renewals in a romantic and memorable group ceremony. Couples must register online no later than Tuesday, February 1, 2022 by visiting https://pinellasclerkvalentineswedding.eventbrite.com. Registration will be limited and on a first-come first-served basis. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. October 22, 2021: Pinellas County’s Division of Inspector General Working to Receive 4th Statewide Reaccreditation FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Division of Inspector General (Pinellas County IG), is undergoing its 4th Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) assessment to retain its state level accreditation. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. March 12, 2021: March 15-19, 2021 Recognized as Government Finance Professionals Week FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Ken Burke, Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, joins the Florida Government Finance Officers Association in recognizing finance office professionals in Pinellas County and throughout the state during Government Finance Professionals Week being held from March 15 through 19, 2021. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. February 4, 2021: Pinellas Clerk's 15th Annual Valentine's Day Wedding Ceremony FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Capacity has now been reached for the Clerk’s 15th Annual Valentine’s Day Wedding Ceremony and Vow Renewal taking place on Sunday, February 14, 2021. Social distancing guidelines will be observed for the ceremonies which will take place in the romantic and picturesque Wedding Garden of the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. January 5, 2021: Pinellas County’s Constitutional Officers’ Sworn in to Office FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Three Pinellas County constitutional officers were sworn in during a ceremony today, Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The event took place at the Historic Pinellas County Courthouse located at 324 South Fort Harrison Avenue in Clearwater. COVID-19 safety precautions were taken with all in attendance using masks, social distancing. The event was also livestreamed. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. 2020 Press Releases December 21, 2020: Registration Now Open for Pinellas Clerk’s 15th Annual Valentine’s Day Wedding Ceremony FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Up to forty couples, twenty couples for the ceremony and twenty couples for renewals, are expected to be joined together on Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14, 2021 in the picturesque Florida Botanical Gardens. Couples must register online no later than Friday, February 5, 2021 by visiting https://clerkvalentinesdaywedding.eventbrite.com. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. December 4, 2020: Domestic Violence Survivors Receive Much Needed Help from Pinellas Clerk’s Office Fundraiser FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Continuing with a yearly tradition, the Pinellas Clerk’s office led with their hearts and collected a grand total of $5,744.75 through the sale of t-shirts, gift basket raffle tickets and donations during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The monetary donation was divided between CASA and the Haven to further their lifesaving efforts in the county. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. November 19, 2020: Pinellas Clerk’s Office Cleared many Court Fines and Fees due to Generous Payments from Florida Rights and Restoration Coalition and Free Our Vote FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Two organizations worked closely with the office of Ken Burke, Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, to pay off fines and costs of people who had a record of felony convictions. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. November 2, 2020: Virtual Operation Green Light Event - Save on Collections Fees and Get Back on the Road FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - During the Clerk’s Virtual Operation Green Light Event, eligible Pinellas County customers with suspended driver licenses will be able to pay overdue court and traffic fines, while saving up to 25 percent on collections fees. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. September 30, 2020: Voting Rights: Felony Conviction Amounts Due to the Pinellas Clerk’s Office FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - A recent Federal Court decision affirmed the Florida Statutes requiring an individual with a felony conviction to complete all terms of a felony sentence, including payment of all court fines, fees, and restitution, in order for that individual’s voting rights to be restored. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. August 5, 2020: Pinellas Clerk Reappointed to Supreme Court Standing Committee on Fairness and Diversity FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Ken Burke, Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, has been once again reappointed to the Florida Supreme Court Standing Committee on Fairness and Diversity. Since his initial appointment to the Standing Committee in 2012, Clerk Burke has been reappointed every two years when the term expires. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. July 6, 2020: Pinellas Clerk Announces New Inspector General FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - After 15 years with the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Division of Inspector General (IG), Hector Collazo Jr. officially retired on June 30th, after building the IG to be a benchmark for other Offices of Inspectors General in the State of Florida. Ken Burke, Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, announced the promotion of Melissa Dondero to Inspector General/Chief Audit Executive, effective July 5, 2020. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. June 5, 2020: Pinellas Clerk’s Customer Information Center Wins National Award FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - The Pinellas County Clerk’s office was recently recognized as a Call Center of Excellence by the Association of Government Contact Center Professionals (AGCCP). The Award of Distinction for “Shattering Expectations” is a prestigious recognition within the customer service and support industry. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. February 26, 2020: Couples Tie the Knot During the Clerk’s Valentine’s Day Group Wedding FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Valentine’s Day may have started with some clouds and rain, but it quickly turned into a beautifully sunny day, just in time for the wedding at the Florida Botanical Gardens. During the Clerk’s 14th Annual Valentine’s Day Wedding event, 36 couples were married, and 13 couples renewed their wedding vows. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. January 29, 2020: Registration Closes after 60 Couples Sign-up for Valentine’s Day Wedding Ceremony FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Registration for the Pinellas Clerk’s 14th Annual Valentine’s Day Wedding Ceremony closed earlier than anticipated given that lovebirds did not waste precious time. READ THE COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE HERE. Resource Guide Please use the reference guide below for assistance with your media request. The following information is provided in compliance with Fla. Stat. 119.12. Custodian of Public Records Contact Information: Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Attn: Public Records Liaison 315 Court Street, Room 400 Clearwater, FL 33756 Phone: (727) 464-3341 Email: [email protected] High Profile Cases For the latest information on court documents and case information, please view our Public Records search. Public Records - Court Documents and Case Information (Criminal, Traffic, Civil, Family, Probate): The Public Records search provides the public with access to select court case documents. If documents are not available online or if they require redaction, the media may email the Clerk's office for assistance. Official Records: The Official Records Search provides the public with access to select documents recorded in the Recording Services department. The documents include liens, plats, certificates of title, mortgages, lis pendens, marriage licenses, deeds, judgments, death certificates, military discharges, and more. For access to records not available online, the media may email the Clerk's office for assistance. County Financial Information: As the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Auditor, the Clerk is responsible for safeguarding all county tax dollars. Annual financial reports for each fiscal year, along with quarterly investment reports, are available to download on the Financial Reports page. Scam Alerts Every community is plagued by consumer scams, fraud, and unethical practices perpetrated by scammers, criminals, or other bad actors. The Clerk’s office is often alerted to these suspicious practices by members of the public who have been targeted by these scams. Although it is impossible to document all the different types of scams you may encounter, and scammers are always developing new methods of attack, this page is designed inform you of common scams the Clerk has been made aware of, to help you protect yourself and your loved ones from fraud. In addition to local reporting, you can also now report scams and suspicious communications to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Things to Keep in Mind The content on this page provides general information; it is not intended to be legal advice and is not a comprehensive list of all possible scams, forms of fraud, or unethical practices. If you believe you have been the victim of fraud, please consider contacting your local law enforcement agency. Traffic Citation Text Scam Fraudulent Payment Website Subpoena Scam Bond Refund Scam Missed Jury Service Scam IRS Call Scam Court Appearance Email Scam Property Deed Letter Scam Email Scam Caller ID Scam Traffic Citation Scam Traffic Citation Text Scam The Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is warning residents about a fraudulent text message scam in which individuals receive messages falsely claiming to be from Clerk Ken Burke or the State of Florida regarding unpaid traffic violations. Some messages even include images meant to look like official documents, but these communications are not from the Clerk’s office or any government agency. Similar reports have surfaced across multiple Florida counties, suggesting a coordinated scam. Residents are urged not to click links or QR codes, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and delete the message immediately. Anyone unsure about the legitimacy of a communication should contact our office at (727) 464-7000, Monday through Friday. The Clerk’s office remains committed to protecting the community and promoting awareness of potential fraud. Fraudulent Payment Website Please be aware of fraudulent websites and social media accounts impersonating the official www.PayFLClerk.com payment platform. Illegitimate websites and social accounts include the following: payflclerk(.)com(.)com www-payflclerk(.)om facebook(.)com/payflclerk X(.)com/payflclerks These sites and accounts mimic the real PayFLClerk.com and even link to real government agencies to appear legitimate. Do not use them. Always use the Pinellas Clerk or FCCC official site to make traffic payments. Report suspicious activity to your local Clerk’s office. Stay safe and spread the word. #FCCC #ScamAlert #PayFLClerk #FloridaClerks Subpoena Scam Please be warned that fraudulent phone calls are being reported where the caller claims to be calling from the Clerk’s office and wants to set up a location to meet to serve a subpoena. These calls are from con artists, as the Clerk does not serve subpoenas and will never call to set up a location to meet anyone. If you receive a suspicious call requesting payment or personal information, write down as much information about the call as possible and contact the Clerk's office at (727) 464-7000 or [email protected]. You may also want to report the incident with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Fraud line at (727) 582-6200. Bond Refund Scam The company, www.bondrefund.com, is apparently sending unsolicited mailers or advertisements to customers who have posted cash bonds in criminal cases and scamming them out of their money. These mailers guarantee recipients that their claim will be processed by the Clerk's office if the customer pays for a special “request packet” and presents the packet to our office. Please keep in mind that these request packets are NOT required to receive refunds on cash bonds, nor are these packets published or endorsed by the Clerk’s office. Cash bonds are either applied to outstanding balances, or disbursed to the customer, without the use of these expensive and misleading forms. The Clerk’s office will never require payment to third parties for the disbursement of payments to individuals who have money held by our office. If you receive a misleading mailer, you can determine the status of the related bonds by searching the case records on the Clerk's website or by calling (727) 464-7000. Missed Jury Service Scam Our office has received several calls from citizens regarding a recent juror scam. The scam involves citizens being told they must pay the fines associated with missing jury service or face serious consequences. All potential jurors for Pinellas County are contacted by U.S. mail. We do not contact you by phone and do not ask for Social Security numbers, credit card numbers or other personal information. Should you receive a phone call saying that you have failed to report for jury service and they ask for personal information, this is a potential identity theft scam. Please DO NOT give out any personal information. To contact the Clerk's Jury Services Department, call (727) 464-6423 or send an email to [email protected]. Information from the FBI's website Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody warns of jury scams Snopes.com has also researched the scam If you have been a victim of this crime or have any information on these phone scams, call the Office of Economic Crimes Unit at (727) 582-6200. IRS Calls Scam Please be aware that Pinellas County citizens are being contacted by someone posing as an IRS representative. The scammer claims the IRS is filing a lawsuit against the citizen and threatens the citizen with arrest or losing their driver's license for failure to pay the associated fines and fees. If you know you owe taxes or you think you might owe taxes, call the Internal Revenue Service at (800) 829-1040. If you know you don't owe taxes or have no reason to think that you owe any taxes (for example, you've never received a bill or the caller made absurd threats), call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at (800) 366-4484. Avoid becoming a victim of this scam by reading and sharing the linked news article. Court Appearance Email Scam It has been reported that citizens are receiving fraudulent emails informing them that they must appear in court. These emails may appear to originate from well known law firms and government agencies. However, please note that they are indeed a scam intended to infect your computer through the use of attachments or links in the email. Notices to appear in court are not sent by email from the Clerk's office or from other agencies. If you receive such an email, you are advised to delete it at once and disregard any attachments or links contained therein as these may spread malicious software to your computer. Also, be careful when deciding to open emails that allegedly come from law firms which do not pertain to a relationship you already have with the firm, as those can also be malicious in nature. Property Deed Letter Scam Scams have a way of resurfacing every so often and deed scams are currently in the spotlight in Pinellas County. “Unfortunately, it seems to rear its ugly head every few years,” stated Ken Burke, Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. Pinellas County residents have once again started receiving official-looking letters emphasizing the importance of keeping a certified copy of your property deeds. However, this seemingly informative letter that primarily targets new home owners comes with the hefty price tag of $89.00. The catch is simple – it’s a solicitation scam. Most citizens with a one page deed can easily obtain the same document from the Clerk’s office for $3.00 according to Clerk Burke. It’s $1.00 for the copy and $2.00 for the certification fee. Residents can also print an unofficial copy of their deed for free by using the Clerk’s website in just a matter of minutes. The companies sending out these letters disclose in fine print that they are not affiliated with any state agency and that many records are available for nominal fees from government agencies. When asked why anyone would pay $89 for a copy of the deed, Clerk Burke simply says “It’s a rip off.” If you have any questions, please call (727) 464-7000 or visit the Certified Deeds page. View the WFLA Channel 8 segment covering this scam. View the Press Release. View a copy of letter received. Email Scam The Office of the State Courts Administrator has learned of an email scam, in which emails purporting to come from state courts are attempting to infect recipients with computer viruses. These emails are instructing recipients to report for a hearing on a specified date and time. The emails also instruct recipients to review an attached document for detailed case information. When the attachment or links in the email are opened, a malicious program is launched that infects the recipient's computer. Unless you are actively involved in a case in a Florida court, and have consented to receive court notifications electronically, you generally will not be served court documents electronically. Please click here for more information concerning other email and phone scams. Caller ID Scam Our office has been made aware of scammers using caller ID fraud (known as spoofing) to trick citizens into believing that a call is coming from the actual Clerk's Office (or other public agency). If you receive a call from someone who identified themselves as a deputy clerk, and you are unsure if its legitimate, you can always call the Clerk's office at (727) 464-7000 to verify that it was a valid call. Please remember that the Clerk's office will never ask for financial information over the phone or by email. Do not open any email attachment from an unfamiliar source. Never provide personal information by phone or email. If you receive a suspicious call requesting payment or personal information, write down as much information about the call as possible and contact the Clerk's office at (727) 464-7000 or [email protected]. You may also want to report the incident with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Fraud line at (727) 582-6200. Traffic Citation scam It has been brought to our attention that some Pinellas County citizens are receiving fraudulent emails requesting them to process outstanding traffic citation payments over the phone or via email reply supplying debit card information. The emails impersonate a government employee but do not originate from an official government email account. The emails contain accurate citation information obtained from public records making them appear legitimate when, in fact, they are not. If you receive an email or text from someone who identifies as a deputy clerk, and you’re unsure if it’s legitimate, you can always call the Clerk's Office at (727) 464-7000 to verify that it was a valid email or check our court records website to validate fines, fees or other information on court cases and traffic citations. However, please remember that the Clerk's Office will never ask for financial information over the phone or via email. You may also want to report the incident with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Fraud line at (727) 582-6200.