Property and identity fraud are a nationwide problem.  By filing fake deeds, scammers appear to own property, and can fraudulently rent or sell the property without the knowledge of the true owner. By signing up for the Clerk and Comptroller’s Property Fraud Alert Service, you will receive an email whenever a document is recorded in Sarasota County using your personal or business name. Notifications are sent within 24 hours of the document being recorded, alerting you so you can look up the documents through public records, or dispute through law enforcement. Registration is simple and free. 

For more information, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions.

Have you received a call or email from someone who claims to be a Clerk employee, warning that you missed jury duty or a court case? This court scam is becoming more common, and has occurred in Sarasota County. Citizens are informed that there is a warrant out for their arrest due to missed court or jury duty. The caller or email writer presents themselves as an official, and requests that a payment be made (often by ‘green dot’ re-loadable debit card) to avoid embarrassment, arrest, and incarceration. There is no such process at the Sarasota County Clerk of Court or the Jury Office. Clerk and Comptroller employees do not initiate unexpected contact with citizens to request payment by phone or by email.

Protecting yourself against phone or email scams is simple: Just hang up. Do not reply to the email. Unless you have initiated contact, never give out your personal or financial information. If you receive a court-related call and are unsure about it, call the Clerk and Comptroller's Jury Office at (941) 861-7800 for verification.

You may receive a solicitation from a company offering a copy of your certified property deed—but for a higher than normal fee. These companies may charge a large and unexpected service charge. Since these documents are public record, they can be obtained directly from the Clerk and Comptroller for a nominal fee. Contact the Clerk’s Public Access Department for document certification, and mailing if applicable. Most deeds are only a few pages long, and are processed within 72 hours or sooner. 

The Internal Audit Department and Office of Inspector General has established a toll free Fraud Hotline to report suspected fraud, waste or abuse. Calls to the hotline remain anonymous when proper reporting protocol is followed. The Investigative Services Team will review the allegations and determine if an investigation is warranted. The team gathers information and makes recommendations. The caller to the Hotline may be referred to Sarasota County Human Resources (to report Sarasota County employee harassment, discrimination, or grievable labor issues.)

• Report by phone
  Fraud Hotline (855) 506-0304
• Report by mail
  If you prefer not to use the Hotline, you may also report suspected fraud, waste, and abuse by mail to Fraud Hotline P.O. Box 3079 Sarasota, FL 34230.
• Report by fax
  Fax your inquiry to (941) 861-5704.
• Report in person
  Sarasota County Administration Center, Internal Audit Department, 1660 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34236.

Have you received a call or email from someone claiming to be a Clerk employee warning that your driver’s license will be suspended for failure to pay a traffic ticket? A new scam is being reported involving scammers impersonating Clerk and Comptroller employees informing citizens that they have outstanding financial obligations for a traffic ticket. These scammers have gone so far as to provide actual copies of tickets to support their criminal actions. Often, the scammer will threaten a deadline for payment or else the citizen’s driver’s license will be suspended. 

The Sarasota Clerk and Comptroller’s office may contact citizens legitimately as it pertains to outstanding financial obligations, however, the Office does not seek immediate payment by phone or through email. Legitimate contact regarding outstanding financial obligations will always direct citizens to call the Clerk and Comptroller’s main phone number at 941-861-7400 or to visit the website at www.sarasotaclerk.com to make their payment. Likewise, citizens with unpaid financial obligations that have been sent to collection agencies for non-payment may be contacted by these agencies to discuss payment arrangements. However, such agencies are bound by state and federal collection regulations.

Bottom line, if you question the legitimacy of a call or email correspondence seeking payment for a traffic ticket please do not remit payment and contact the Clerk and Comptroller’s Office immediately to report the incident.