Government-Looking Scams in Florida: DMV Texts, Deed Fraud Alerts, Squatters, Title Fraud & Homestead Penalties

Scammers are getting way too good at making texts, letters, and "official notices" look legitimate, and Floridians are paying the price. In this episode of Tampa Home Talk, Katrina Madewell sits down with Mike Fasano and Tim Coet to break down the most common government-looking scams hitting our community right now, and what to do to protect yourself. We start with a real-world example: a scary "Florida DMV" text that claims you have an outstanding traffic fine, threatens license/registration suspension, and pushes you to click a sketchy link (spoiler: it's not Florida). From there, we unpack the scams we see repeatedly in real estate and public records like "pay for your deed" mailers, fraudulent deed transfers, rental scams tied to vacant homes, and the rise of title and property fraud. You'll also learn about a free tool you can use to protect yourself: signing up for fraud alerts through your county Clerk of Court so you're notified if anything gets recorded in your name. We also cover why homestead fraud penalties are no joke (back taxes, major penalties, and interest), and practical reminders around driver's license and insurance issues that can trigger real suspensions plus how to check your status the right way. If you live in Tampa Bay (or anywhere in Florida), this episode is a must-listen to help you stay one step ahead of the scammers. Need real estate help? Call or text 813-377-2775. Katrina Madewell, Love where you live, or we'll fix it.