• *   The potential victim did in fact owe the specific amount of money stated and the traffic citation number was correct.  An image of the citation was also attached to the original email.  All of that could be obtained from the public records site, but it is unclear where it was actually obtained
•  *   E-mail addresses of citizens are not provided to the public, so it is unclear how the e-mail address was obtained
•  *   The scammer included the address and phone number information for the Pinellas Clerk’s Office that was fairly accurate but was incorrect in a few details.  It even included a link to a Google Map of the correct location in an attempt to add legitimacy.
•  *   The phone number given for the victim to call to make payments contained the wrong area code.
•  *   For this scam to work, the e-mail address or the given phone number must be valid, preferably both from the scammer’s perspective

Here is an example of what the emails have been reported as saying:

Hello <redacted>,

This is Allison Hunter, I took care of you last year at the clerk of the court. this is regarding your traffic citation (see attached) number <CitationNumber> dated <Random Date and Time>

I got a notification on the account that $27.88 is the outstanding balance on the account.
Failure to pay this before < A future date is provided > will result in SUSPENSION ON CLASS E LICENSE.

I'm working from my home office today u til 4pm, I was out with covid, so I'm trying to beat any upcoming deadlines. Fortunately I came across your account.

I can reach out to you via < A local phone number is provided > to process the payment, or you may send payment by filling out below.

You may reply to this email with any questions.

TO ENSURE YOUR LICENSE REMAIN IN GOOD STANDING MAKE SURE TO PAY THE $27.88 IN FULL BY < A recent future date is provided >

• THEY MAY ALSO ASK YOU PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING:

If paying with a card please make sure to pay with a DEBIT CARD to ensure quickest process.

DEBIT CARD PAYMENT INFORMATION:
CITATION NUMBER:
FIRST NAME:
LAST NAME:
BILLING ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP:

DEBIT CARD NUMBER:
EXPIRATION DATE:
CVV:
BILLING ZIP:

You will receive email confirmation shortly after payment information has been sent

THE CLERK OF COURT WILL NEVER ASK YOU TO PROVIDE PERSONAL INFORMATION OR PAYMENT METHOD VIA EMAIL OR OVER THE PHONE.  ALL PAYMENTS MUST BE MADE IN PERSON OR THROUGH THE US MAIL  OR THROUGH A CERTIFIED ONLINE PROCESSING PORTAL

OUR OFFICE WILL ALSO NEVER ISSUE NOTIFICATION'S OF THIS TYPE VIA EMAIL -- ALL PAYMENT NOTIFICATION'S WILL COME THROUGH US MAIL AND ADDRESSED TO THE PARTY ON CLERK LETTERHEAD