Traffic Ticket Payment Scams

What is Traffic Payment Fraud?

Have you received a call, text, or email from someone who claims to be an employee of the Clerk of Court, warning that your driver’s license will be suspended for failure to pay a traffic ticket fine?

This scam involves bad actors impersonating Clerk and Comptroller employees who contact citizens to inform them that they have unpaid fines for a traffic ticket. These scammers will go so far as to provide actual copies of tickets to support their criminal actions. Often, the scammer will threaten to suspend a citizen’s driver’s license if payment is not received by a deadline.

While there is legitimate communication with citizens by Sarasota Clerk and Comptroller employees regarding outstanding financial obligations, our office does not seek immediate payment by phone or email. Legitimate contact regarding unpaid fines or fees will always instruct citizens to call the Clerk and Comptroller’s main phone number at 941-861-7400 or to visit the website to make a payment.

Likewise, citizens who have unpaid financial obligations that have been sent to a collection agency may be contacted by these agencies to discuss payment arrangements. These agencies must abide by state and federal collection regulations.

Protect Yourself: If you question the legitimacy of a phone call, text, or other correspondence seeking payment for a traffic ticket, please do not send a payment without first contacting the Clerk and Comptroller’s Office Traffic & Fines Division (941) 861-7400 to inquire about the ticket and report suspected fraud.