Alerts

HURRICANE IRMA (09/11/2017)

HURRICANE IRMA ALERT (09/06/2017)

Current Situation:

Hurricane Irma is moving toward the west-northwest at 16 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the extremely dangerous core of Irma will pass just north of Puerto Rico tonight, pass near or just north of the coast of Hispaniola Thursday, and be near the Turks and Caicos and southeastern Bahamas by Thursday evening.

Irma is a category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph with higher gusts. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day or two, but Irma is forecast to remain a powerful category 4 or 5 hurricane during the next couple of days.

 There remains some uncertainty with Irma’s forecast track beyond Saturday.

Potential Impacts per NWS Jacksonville:

  • The current OUTLOOK has Irma passing very close to the northeast Florida area as a major hurricane.
  • Weakened infrastructure (due to Matthew) on our beaches will not require a direct hit to significantly damage A1A in St Johns County as well as some of the vulnerable homes along the coast.
  • Tropical storm conditions are expected Sunday Night. Any variation in track could have major implications for local impacts.

Local Actions/Activities:

  • St. Johns County and the municipalities anticipate and are planning for a mandatory evacuation of barrier islands, low-lying areas, and waterfront properties.
  • St. Johns County Emergency Management is asking all staff with Emergency Operations Center related responsibilities to closely monitor the progress of Hurricane Irma.

 

For additional information, please contact:  St. Johns County Emergency Management, 904.824.5550

Fraudulent Warning  (08/23/2017)

The St. Johns County Clerk’s Office is warning all citizens of an fraudulent phone spoofing scam.

The phone call is fraudulent in its entirety and includes a request for you to call the St. John’s District Court’s Office. They provide the correct automated main number for the St. Johns Clerk of Court and a secondary phone number that is linked to a recording. This recording states you have reached the St. Johns County District Clerks Office and all deputies are busy and for you to leave your information. When they return your call, it’s a spoofing call that shows our main number 904-819-3600. Once on the phone the individual claims to be a deputy named Lance Watson (please note, they may use other names as well) and will use Judges’ names and reference citations and possibly jury duty. They have been known to mention that you might be arrested unless you pay the fines. This is a scam, do not attempt to return any calls or give any personal information if contacted.

Thank you,

St. Johns County Clerk’s Office

New Phone Scam Alert (02/10/2017)

Beware of new ‘can you hear me’ phone scam 

 The idea of this phone scam is aimed at getting people who answer the call to say the word “”YES.”

It may not seem like a big deal at the time, but it’s what the criminals can do later with that recording that’s dangerous to you, your information and your identity.

Once they have a recording on file of your voice saying “YES,” scammers can then use it to authorize unwanted charges on bills, credit cards and more.

So don’t say anything and don’t press any buttons – just hang up!

If you get a call from a number you don’t recognize, you should always be skeptical of anyone who tries to get you to respond with a simple “yes.”

For example, here are a few ways scammers might get you to say it:

  • Can you hear me?
  • Are you the lady of the house?
  • Do you pay the household phone bill?
  • Do you pay the household bills?
  • Are you the homeowner?

You should be skeptical of any yes or no question that has no context provided by the caller.

The safest thing to do is to just hang up.

Tips to protect yourself against this scam:

  • Use Caller ID to screen calls, and consider not even answering unfamiliar numbers. If it’s important, they will leave a message and you can call back.
  • If someone calls and asks “Can you hear me?”, do NOT answer “yes.” Just hang up. Scammers change their tactics as the public catches on, so be alert for other questions designed to solicit a simple “yes” answer.
  • Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized charges. It’s also a good idea to check your telephone and cell phone bills, as well. Scammers may be using the “Yes” recording of your voice to authorize charges on your phone. This is called “cramming” and it’s illegal.
  • Don’t be pressured into making fast decisions.
  • Take time to research the organization.
  • Never provide your personal information (address, date-of-birth, banking information, ID numbers) to people you do not know.
  • Don’t click on links from unsolicited email or text messages.
  • If you are unsure about a call or email that claims to be from your bank, utility company, etc., call the business directly using the number on your bill or credit card.
  • Never send money by wire transfer or prepaid debit card to someone you don’t know or haven’t met in person.
  • Never send money for an emergency situation unless you can verify the emergency.

Fraudulent Notice to Appear Email Warning (05/15/2017)

The St. Johns County Clerk’s Office is warning all healthcare professionals of an ongoing fraudulent email targeting healthcare professionals.

The Florida E-Filing Portal was breached several years ago and rounds of emails are issued periodically notifying the recipient of an alleged court date for a US Health Care Service Code Violation.

This email is fraudulent in its entirety and includes an attorney’s name, case number 831704DR001393A000XX, and is sent from noreply@myflcourtaccess.com.

Please immediately delete this email and do not attempt to open any attachments within.

Thank you,

St. Johns County Clerk’s Office

DHSMV Warns of Traffic Citation Scam (12/20/2016)

Consumers targeted for payment of fraudulent citations.  Visit FLHSMV.GOV for the full press release.

Fraudulent Email Alert (9/14/2016)

A fraudulent email message is circulating as a Notice to Appear in Court referencing US Health Care Service Code Violation and Court Case #DR14-1383.  Please be advised that this is an email scam.

If you receive a message matching this description, do not open the attachment or click the links (underlined text). Delete the email immediately. Clicking links on this message will likely download malicious software to your computer.