TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office is warning of scammers booking driver’s license appointments and selling them to residents for a fee.

In a Monday press release, the tax office announced changes to its online appointment system in hopes of deterring potential scammers and freeing up appointments for residents who need them.

After receiving complaints about the lack of appointment availability and receiving leads directing them to the third-party providers, officials determined they were likely using software to monitor the appointment scheduling site to “immediately secure available appointments, possibly through the use of AI and bots.” to prevent this.” Deny residents access to available appointment slots.”

An investigation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office found that the vendors likely targeted minority groups, particularly the Hispanic community.

“This fraudulent behavior by individuals who are exploiting residents and denying them access to essential services is unacceptable,” said Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy Millan. “Unfortunately, forward selling has become a growing trend across the country, and in Hillsborough County we are committed to ending this interference and restoring fair and equal access to services to all residents.”

According to the press release, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office has made the following changes to its appointment booking process:

1. One booking per person/email address: The new system only allows one appointment booking per person. The aim of the restriction is to prevent mass bookings of appointments by unauthorized persons.

2. Advanced Verification Process: During the booking process, customers must enter their driver’s license number, a parent’s driver’s license number for minors, or an alien registration number.

3. Residency Requirements: Appointments are reserved for Hillsborough County residents only and customers must confirm this prior to booking.

4. Personal confirmation: In accordance with these changes, tax collector branch staff will verify residency and ensure that the names and ID numbers provided at the time of booking the appointment match upon arrival at the office. In case of disagreement, the appointment is not perceived.

Millan says these changes are designed to prevent fraud and make the process smoother as the county’s population continues to grow. To book an appointment online, visit the Hillsborough County Tax Collector website.

See story from World Times Today here.