Media Central

General:

Citizens are Reminded of Fireworks Ban

It hardly seems like July 4 without the rockets red glare – fireworks are a part of the American Independence Day celebration. Pinellas County citizens can enjoy professional pyrotechnics displays offered throughout the area, while enjoying a safe holiday weekend without the bang in their own backyards.

Citizens are reminded that the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners passed an ordinance in 2003 closing a loophole that effectively bans the retail sale or purchase of fireworks that project into the air or explode.

Sparklers remain legal. However, they can be dangerous and reach temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. Officials urge citizens to use extreme caution and follow basic safety recommendations:

• Read all cautions and warnings.
  
• Use sparklers only outdoors.
  
• Only those over 12 years of age should handle sparklers of any type. Many young people get burned by sparklers every year. Adult supervision is necessary at all times.
  
• Use fireworks as intended. Do not try to alter or combine them.
  
• Fireworks and alcohol do not mix.
  Above all else, use common sense and have a safe, enjoyable holiday.

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Public Input Sought on Friendship TrailBridge

Hillsborough and Pinellas counties are seeking input on alternatives for the future of the Friendship TrailBridge.

The counties received a follow-up inspection report for the Friendship TrailBridge in May. The inspection and tests confirmed the initial reports that girders of the bridge were heavily corroded and broken. Several options and their cost were provided in the report that included repair, replacement and/or demolition of all or portions of the bridge. The full report, along with graphics of proposed options, is available on the Friendship TrailBridge Oversight Committee website.

Two public meetings will be held, one in Pinellas County and one in Hillsborough County. Following the Hillsborough County meeting, the Friendship TrailBridge Oversight Committee will make its recommendation to the two County Commissions.

The dates, times and locations of the meetings will be:

Tuesday, July 14
4 p.m.
Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center
1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg

Wednesday, July 15
7 p.m.
Presentation and decision on recommendation
Jan Platt Regional Library
3910 S. Manhattan Ave.

All meeting facilities are ADA compliant. For additional assistance, call Steve Valdez at (813) 307-8384 (TTY: (813) 301-7173).

Residents can submit a comment through July 14 at the Friendship TrailBridge Oversight Committee website or by mailing it to: Pinellas County Planning Department, Attn: Friendship TrailBridge, 600 Cleveland St., Suite 750, Clearwater, FL 33755.

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Radio show features Neighborhood Stabilization Program

Residents can tune into information about purchasing foreclosed properties to rehabilitate them, and then sell them to homebuyers. The Neighborhood Stimulus Program is the topic of the July edition of the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County radio show, There’s No Place Like Home, aired on WRXB Radio 1590 AM.

This month’s show features guests Tom de Yampert, manager of St. Petersburg Housing and Community Development, and Teri Hasbrouck, development manager for Pinellas County Community Development. The program is sponsored by the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County and airs the first Thursday of each month. The show is posted online at the Housing Finance Authority website. For more information, call Jane Muhrlin at (727) 453-3602.

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Alligator Lake and Mobbly Bayou to Be Restored

Two major projects this summer will restore important ecological areas of Alligator Lake Management Area in Safety Harbor and Mobbly Bayou Preserve in Oldsmar. Pinellas County will host two public meetings to share information and to answer questions from the public concerning these projects. The meetings will be offered in two-hour open house formats on Tuesday July 14, at Safety Harbor Public Library for the Alligator Lake project and on Thursday, July 16, for the Mobbly Bayou Preserve project.

Expected to begin in August 2009 and to be completed within approximately one year, the goal of the restoration work is to increase biodiversity and improve the hydrology of these two areas. The local impact is expected to be limited to the presence of equipment and machinery and, in the case of Mobbly Bayou Preserve, limited boater access during construction.

The land is managed by the Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management, Environmental Lands Division, the conservation steward of Pinellas County’s four preserves and 15 management areas. These wild areas include nearly 16,000 acres of protected lands and waterways throughout the county along with a rich diversity of native plant and animal life.

The meetings will be:

Alligator Lake Management Area
Open House
Tuesday, July 14
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Safety Harbor Public Library
101 Second St. N., Safety Harbor

Mobbly Bayou Preserve
Open House
Thursday, July 16
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Bicentennial Recreational Center
423 Lafayette Blvd., Oldsmar

For more information, visit www.pinellascounty.org/environmental or call (727) 453-6900.

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EnviroBusiness Hazardous Waste Collection Days

The next EnviroBusiness hazardous waste collection day is scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Household Electronics and Chemical Collection Center, 2990 110th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. The EnviroBusiness hazardous waste collection days are just for businesses and are scheduled for the second Wednesday of every month. Businesses pay the contractors directly, at the county’s reduced contract prices. Any business may drop off its hazardous electronics. To drop off chemicals, businesses need to qualify as small waste generators (producing less than 25 gallons, or 220 pounds, of chemical waste per month). For more information, call (727) 464-7500 or visit Business Hazardous Waste Disposal.

The collections offer businesses an inexpensive and convenient way to properly dispose of unwanted hazardous electronics and chemical waste. About 90 percent of all the electronic equipment dropped off is either reused or recycled. Hazardous business waste includes electronic items such as TVs, computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, cell phones, and telephones. It also includes items such as fluorescent light bulbs, cleaners, toner cartridges, pesticides, laboratory vials, paints, process waste, and much more. Businesses should find an alternate means of disposal for explosives and medical waste.

For many electronic items such as laptops or phones, there is no charge. For other electronic items, the charge is minimal such as 5 cents per pound for a keyboard or 10 cents per pound for a monitor. A licensed hazardous waste contractor must be on site to handle business hazardous waste. To arrange for drop off and payment, businesses should call EQ Florida Inc. at (813) 319-3400 (chemicals), or Creative Recycling Systems, Inc. at (813) 621-2319 (electronics).

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Get HIP with Pinellas County Community Development

To celebrate National Homeownership Month, Pinellas County Community Development established the Homebuyer Information Program. The program provides the latest news and information related to affordable housing in Pinellas County.

“This program is great for anyone interested in becoming a homeowner,” said Daphne Johnson-McCluster, senior community planning specialist. “For Pinellas County, every month is homeownership month. Affordable housing is our business and we strive to help individuals achieve the dream of homeownership.”

Those who sign up will receive the latest news and information on:

• Available quality-built affordable homes, condos and townhomes
  
• Downpayment and closing cost assistance programs
  
• Homebuyer counseling services
  
• Home repair and remodeling low-interest loans
  
• Limited time special offers and more

For more information or to sign-up, visit Pinellas County Community Development or call (727) 464-8210.

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Families Step into the Kitchen

Family learning can continue throughout the summer with a healthy cooking series sponsored by Pinellas County Extension nutrition experts. Families can find new, fun ways to bring mealtime back home by signing up for one of two sessions of the series, Step into the Kitchen – Families Cooking Together beginning in June and July.

The five-class series helps families learn interesting facts about foods and how to make healthy food choices. Each week, one of the five food groups from the My Pyramid is featured. Fun, interactive games help teach children about the nutritional value of each food group and their importance in a healthy lifestyle. The cost for the entire five-week series is $25 for two people, which includes one adult and one child. The cost for each additional person is $5 for the entire series.

The real fun begins during the unique part of this series when families roll up their sleeves and cook up tasty samples. Families discover how quick, easy and delicious cooking can be if everyone works together. It has been shown that children are more likely to try new foods if they play an active role in choosing and preparing these foods. Families may attend either series that is most convenient.

• The next series begins Tuesday, July 28, and continues on the Tuesdays of Aug. 4, Aug. 11, Aug. 18 and Aug. 25. The program runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and takes place at Pinellas County Extension, 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

Please note that at least one adult and one child from each family must attend the series. Children must be at least 8 years old. Space is limited so register by visiting www.pinellascountyextension.org and clicking on the Online Class Registration button, or call (727) 582-2100.

Pinellas County Extension is a partnership between Pinellas County government and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences as part of a nationwide network of land grant universities. The mission of Pinellas County Extension is to provide research-based knowledge and education programs enabling people to make practical decisions to improve their quality of life and the world around them. Education focuses on sustainable living, lawn and garden, families and consumers and 4-H youth development. Pinellas County Extension is located at 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

Pinellas County Extension programs are open to all persons regardless of gender, race, nationality, ethnicity, age, creed or disability. Persons with disabilities should contact the Extension office at (727) 582-2100 at least 10 business days before the event so that proper consideration can be given to the request.

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Algae Bloom in Tampa Bay is Extensive

Scientists say there is an extensive algae bloom occurring in many areas of Tampa Bay. The bloom occurring in Old Tampa Bay, from Safety Harbor to Weedon Island, is covering more of the bay than has ever been observed before.

The algae produces oxygen during the day, but at night, the algae uses oxygen. That, coupled with the intense heat, has depleted the oxygen in the water, said Kelli Hammer-Levy, Division Manager for the Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management. The algae bloom was most likely fueled by pollutants, including fertilizers, sediment, yard waste and animal waste carried into the bay from the May and June rain events.

Considering the continued heat of the past week, Hammer-Levy said it would not be surprising to see fish killed by the algae bloom in the near future. The county’s Department of Environmental Management is testing the waters. It works in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, as well as the county Health Department in monitoring the health of local beaches and waterways.

The Pinellas County Water Atlas, developed to provide a comprehensive water resource, includes news and reports on the quality of individual water bodies. To find out more about the water resources, go to the Pinellas County Water Atlas.

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Animal Services Has Special July 3 Hours

With patriotic celebrations planned across Pinellas County and most government offices closing Friday, July 3, to recognize the July 4 holiday, Pinellas County Animal Services announced it will open Friday, July 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please note that the facility will be closed Thursday, July 2, Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5.

Many adorable dogs and cats are waiting to be welcomed into new homes and offer a lifetime of affection and companionship. During July, adoption fees are reduced to $20 for both cats and dogs. Also, Animal Services is offering $1 rabies vaccinations with the purchase of a license for dogs and cats.

During Independence Day celebrations, residents are reminded that pets are often frightened by the loud noises and bright lights associated with fireworks. Signs of stress may include shaking, excessive drooling, howling and hiding. Keeping pets indoors, closing curtains and turning on soothing music may help calm them. Encouraging pets to nestle in their crates or small den-like places might reduce stress. If pets must be outside, keep them on a leash or in a carrier. As always, pet owners should ensure pet identifications are current in case of separation.

Pinellas County Animal Services is located at 12450 Ulmerton Road in Largo. For more information, visit the Animal Services website or call (727) 582-2600.

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Jump into Green Living with Workshop and Bus

Boldly go where few citizens have gone before with help from Pinellas County Extension sustainability experts. A free workshop, Introduction to Green Living, will help citizens reach beyond the basics of living green. They will learn how to preserve, protect and conserve the planet and way of life for generations to follow. The workshop takes place Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Largo Library.

Outside the library, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority will park one of its new diesel-electric hybrid buses in the lot for citizens to tour. The library is located at 120 Central Park Drive. No registration is required for the workshop or the bus tour.

Green Living topics include three half-hour sessions. The workshop topics include:

• Get Current on Energy Tax Credits – Learn about home energy saving tax credits offered through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Bill) approved earlier this year. A wide variety of tax credits are available for home improvements like energy-efficient windows and doors, insulation, solar panels and more.
• Looking beyond Mother Nature – Going green is not just about the environment. Sustainability reaches into all areas of life including homes, workplaces, purchasing decisions and into urban landscapes. Attendees will discover how the world depends on everyone keeping a green attitude on display every day.
• Go Green in the Sunshine State – Explore Florida’s initiatives and practices to move the state toward a greener future. Attendees will learn how some initiatives encourage builders, consumers and businesses to understand the importance of better energy efficiencies. Learn about the state’s commitment to supporting solar and other renewable energy sources as well as a decline in carbon emissions.

From 9:30 to noon, visitors are welcome to stop by the PSTA new hybrid bus to take a look at how the bus operates and the many positive environmental stewardship benefits it provides. Visitors can talk with experts, ask questions and get information about how the new vehicles operate. Diesel-electric hybrid buses produce fewer emissions and less pollution than standard buses and cut dependence on foreign oil by using less fuel. Since an electric motor is used to accelerate and power the vehicle up to a speed of 20 miles per hour, the hybrid bus also provides a quieter ride for the passengers.

Pinellas County Extension is a partnership between Pinellas County government and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences as part of a nationwide network of land grant universities. The mission of Pinellas County Extension is to provide research-based knowledge and education programs enabling people to make practical decisions to improve their quality of life and the world around them.

Pinellas County Extension is located at 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Pinellas County Extension programs are open to all persons regardless of gender, race, nationality, ethnicity, age, creed or disability. Persons with disabilities should contact the Extension office at (727) 582-2100 at least 10 working days before the event so that proper consideration can be given to the request.

To learn more, visit Pinellas County Extension or call (727) 582-2100.

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Tax Collector Says to GO-4-2! - watch video

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle fees will increase Tuesday, Sept. 1. Pinellas County motorists are advised to GO-4-2! and lock in the old rates with a two-year registration prior to the increases taking effect. An example of a typical registration with a breakout of the dozen different fees that add up to the total cost can be viewed on the Pinellas County Tax Collector website.

Potentially, this tip applies to motorists with birthdays occurring June through November for both their vehicle registrations and driver licenses. Individual registration costs will vary depending on vehicle type, weight, or if anything other than a standard license plate is displayed. Please contact the Tax Collector’s office for details on eligibility and the best times to apply. Call (727) 464-7777.

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The Fenway May Return

The historical Fenway on the Bay Resort Hotel in Dunedin, which operated from the early 1920s to the late 1950s, may return. The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners approved a proposal submitted by the city of Dunedin June 16 that changes the zoning on the 5.3-acre property from residential urban to resort facilities medium. One of the primary objectives of the development agreement is to avoid any adverse impacts of development on the abutting property owners. The city is also designating the site with a Historic Overlay zoning district, to protect the historical significance of the property.

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Citizens Can Help Pets Stay Out of Harm’s Way - watch video

A love of animals and enthusiasm for helping others are qualities adult volunteers need to assist special needs citizens who must evacuate their homes during an emergency such as a hurricane. Pinellas County Animal Services in Largo is welcoming applications to volunteer with transportation teams that take pets to other locations during a declared emergency.

Volunteers serve as auxiliary Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) members to help transport pets of special needs citizens to safe, predetermined locations. Those interested in volunteering should call Greg Andrews, operations manager at Pinellas County Animal Services, at (727) 582-2623. Helpers need to fill out Pinellas County volunteer applications and must complete training facilitated by the Bay Area DART Team. To learn more about DART, visit

This service helps special needs citizens who might otherwise decide not to evacuate because of their pets. With this service, these citizens feel more comfortable about leaving their homes, knowing their animals are safe. Of course, service animals may go to shelters, but other pets need to be cared for by making prior arrangements, such as signing up to go to a pet-friendly shelter or a host home.

If special needs citizens are already registered with their local fire department and have a pet which they need help evacuating, they should call Pinellas County Animal Services at (727) 582-2600 to register pets for pick-up. Pinellas County Animal Services is located at 12450 Ulmerton Road in Largo. To learn more about taking care of pets during emergencies, visit Pinellas County Animal Services.

For more information about the program for special needs citizens and/or pet-friendly shelters, visit Pinellas County Emergency Management or call (727) 464-3800 or visit. Citizens may also contact their nearest fire department or home health care provider.

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Clerk’s Office Now Accepts E-Recordings

Deeds, mortgages and other recordable documents can now be electronically imaged and submitted through established vendors to the Pinellas County Clerk’s office to be recorded, saving time and money, Ken Burke, Clerk of the Circuit Court, announced.

By working with various vendors who are set up to both submit e-records and pay via Automated Clearing House payments, title companies can now submit e-records to the Clerk’s office within seconds.

“These e-records arrive pre-indexed with the document type, consideration amount, grantor/grantee information and number of pages," said Burke. "We just need to verify that it meets our pre-indexing standards and then it is recorded. The whole process, which used to take days, now only takes minutes.”

This faster, secure method of recording documents saves money for both the customer and the Clerk’s office, eliminating postage and courier fees, according to Burke.

“The biggest advantage for title companies and other recording customers, is this process drastically reduces the chances of documents being returned to them due to incorrect fees," said Burke. Although we previously added a fee calculator to our website to help with this problem, the system’s pre-calculation of the number of pages and names leaves far less room for error.”

Since January, when the first e-recording test submission was received, the Recording Services Department has e-recorded more than 2,600 documents and reports a steady climb in e-recording each month. Several vendors have joined with the Clerk’s office to provide a variety of e-recording options for customers. Vendors who would like to submit recordable documents electronically may contact the Clerk’s office to set up the ACH payments, according to Burke.

For more information, contact Recording Services at (727) 464-4876, or visit the Clerk’s website.

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Keep a Yard Nice and Conserve Water

Want to conserve water, help protect the environment and still have a stunning landscape? Get expert advice on having a healthy, attractive yard with tips and techniques offered at a free How to Keep a Nice Yard and Conserve Water workshop sponsored by Pinellas County Master Gardeners.

The program is set for Tuesday, June 23, at 2 p.m. It takes place at the West St. Petersburg Community Library at St. Petersburg College Gibbs Campus located at 6605 fifth Ave. N. in St. Petersburg.

Water is the lifeblood of plants and having correct information can go a long way toward helping landscapes thrive. Pinellas County Extension Florida Yard & Neighborhoods Coordinator Dale Armstrong will share practical tips about the importance of mulch, watering schedules, weed control, mowing hints, the reduction of fertilizer applications and much more. This is particularly important when faced with a continuing drought and more stringent watering restrictions.

This is the part of the 2009 Gardening Series. To register for this month’s workshop, visit Pinellas County Extension and click the Online Class Registration button, or call (727) 582-2100.

The Pinellas County Master Gardener Program is provided through the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences/Pinellas County Extension in Largo. These volunteer Master Gardeners help with tending the landscapes at Florida Botanical Gardens in addition to providing educational programs on environmentally sound Florida-friendly landscape practices to Pinellas County citizens. These volunteers also provide support to 4-H and other youth programs.

Pinellas County Extension programs are open to all persons regardless of gender, race, nationality, ethnicity, age, creed or disability. Persons with disabilities should contact the Extension office at (727) 582-2100 at least 10 working days before the event so that proper consideration can be given to the request.

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Calling All Phone Books: It’s Time to Recycle

Summertime is phone book time. Thousands of phone books will be delivered to Pinellas County residents’ doorsteps. Please recycle old phone books instead of trashing them.

The Pinellas County Phone Book Recycling Drive offers many convenient options. Residents of eight cities (Belleair, Clearwater, Dunedin, Largo, Oldsmar, Redington Beach, Safety Harbor and Seminole) may recycle phone books in their curbside bin with “mixed paper.” There are also 47 drop-off locations available around the county. Find a complete listing at, Phone Book Recycling 2009.

Each year, over 500 million telephone books are distributed - enough to circle the earth four times! A common myth is that phone books cannot be recycled, but they are 100 percent recyclable. Old phone book can be recycled into insulation, cereal boxes paper towels, or new phone books.

For more information, visit Pinellas County Utilities, or call (727) 464-7500.

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Avoid the Bite of Mosquitoes

The Florida Department of Health and Florida’s 67 county health departments remind residents and visitors to protect themselves against mosquito-borne diseases as the summer rainy season marks the months of peak mosquito activity.

Throughout the year, DOH works with partner agencies – including the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, mosquito control agencies and state universities – to monitor for illnesses carried by mosquitoes, including West Nile virus infection, St. Louis encephalitis and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

Most people who become ill have mild symptoms including headache, fever, dizziness and fatigue, but severe neurological symptoms are also possible. Although mosquito diseases can cause serious illnesses and even death in people of any age, children and those over 50 are at greatest risk for severe disease. Physicians should contact their county health department if they suspect they have a patient with a mosquito-borne illness. DOH laboratories provide testing services for physicians who treat patients with clinical signs of mosquito-borne diseases.

The best way to prevent disease is to keep mosquitoes from breeding and to avoid mosquito bites.

Remember the “Five Ds:”

• Dusk and Dawn – Try to stay inside when mosquitoes are most active and seeking blood.
  
• Dress – Wear clothing that covers most of your skin.
  
• DEET – When there’s a potential for you or your family to be exposed to mosquitoes, experts recommend repellent containing up to 30 percent DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). Other effective mosquito repellents include picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535.
  
• Drainage – Check around your home and keep the area free of standing water – this is where mosquitoes lay eggs.
  

Using Mosquito Repellent:

• Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage before applying a repellent.
  
• For children, always read the label instructions to be sure the repellent is appropriate. Do not use DEET with children younger than 2 months old. Additionally, do not use oil of lemon eucalyptus with children less than 3 years old.
  
• Keep infants indoors or use mosquito netting over carriers when they’re outside.
  
• Do not apply mosquito repellent to a child’s hands. Adults should first apply repellent to their own hands; then transfer it to the child’s skin and clothing.
  
• Apply insect repellent to exposed skin or onto clothing, but not under clothing.
  
• Do not apply repellent to your eyes or mouth, cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
  
• If you need additional protection, apply a permethrin repellent directly to clothing.
  

Eliminating Mosquito Breeding Sites:

• Remove standing water in old tires, buckets, garbage cans, potted plants and other containers where water collects.
  
• Check clogged gutters and flat roofs that may not drain properly.
  
• Fill in holes or dips in the ground that collect water. Level the ground around your home so water can run off.
  
• Empty birdbaths, water bowls, plant pots and wading pools once or twice a week.
  
• Store boats upside down or with a cover.
  

For more information, go to Florida Department of Health or Pinellas County Mosquito Control.

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Consumer Tips:

Avoid Falling For An Advance Fee Scam

The Pinellas County Justice & Consumer Services and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) are warning consumers about the pitfalls of advance fee loans. Many of these loan offers are advertised to consumers through unsolicited e-mails (spam), offering mortgage refinancing, debt consolidation and elimination, grant opportunities and small business loans. While some of these e-mails may advertise legitimate loan programs and lenders, advance fee loan scams are becoming more prevalent.

Advance fee loan scams often prey on consumers who may be under financial duress and seeking quick, easy loan approval and funding. The scam typically involves a lender making false promises to arrange for a loan in return for fees paid upfront by the loan applicant. Scam artists may even design websites and online loan applications with the appearance that the company is legitimate. Potential borrowers may be asked to provide information through a website or may be contacted by phone or e-mail by a "representative" who guarantees loan approval as soon as the borrower pays the fee. The loan applicant may be told that the fees will be used to pay a third-party’s loan insurance or application processing, or to make the first month's loan payment. The loan applicant may also be told to send or wire transfer money to an individual overseas before receiving the loan proceeds.

In some cases, the loan applicant has been falsely directed to a legitimate financial institution that has no knowledge of the transaction. In other cases, the loan applicant is told that the loan request was declined and is asked to forward additional money to qualify for a different loan program. Unfortunately, after complying with all instructions, some consumers never hear from the company again after the money has been sent. To avoid becoming a victim of an advance fee loan scam, consumers should be cautious about responding to unsolicited offers that require payment in advance for services.

In Florida, loan brokers and businesses soliciting mortgage foreclosure assistance are prohibited from charging advance fees. The law exempts financial institutions, attorneys and licensed lenders from this requirement. Consumers who are experiencing problems with a business or would like to check the complaint history of a business can contact Pinellas County Justice & Consumer Services at (727) 464-6200 or online at www.pinellascounty.org/consumer.

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Beware Foreclosure Scams

Pinellas County Justice & Consumer Services and Community Development partner to provide consumers free mortgage assistance and alert citizens of potential scams. Homeowners facing financial distress are susceptible to those who desire to profit, by taking advantage of them during this period of economic crisis. In Pinellas County, there are nonprofit agencies providing services and resources to help citizens save their homes from foreclosure. In light of these resources and stimulus money, foreclosure “rescue” fraud is continuing to impact homeowners across the country.

Last week, the Obama administration announced a multi-agency coalition was formed to fight foreclosure rescue scams. Presented as foreclosure assistance, these new scams target homeowners who are experiencing financial difficultly and desperate for help. A proliferation of advertisements are promoted by mail, e-mail and signs posted on street corners. But are these solicitation offers intended to help or to prey on vulnerable homeowners? Foreclosure scams can evolve through several forms, but most often they appear as a request for upfront payment before any help is rendered. Other scams may even convince the homeowner to sign over the deed; in fact, many actually provide little or no assistance in saving the home from foreclosure.

Homeowners are urged to avoid responding to unsolicited letters from unknown companies and beware of potential recovery scams. If in need of assistance, homeowners should contact their local office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Conveniently located throughout the county, the HUD offices offer approved loan counselors who can meet with homeowners to review available options. It’s extremely important that homeowners not wait until it’s too late before seeking assistance. A list of agencies providing FREE foreclosure assistance can be found at the Pinellas County Foreclosure website.

Victims of fraud or consumers in need of information should contact Justice & Consumer Services at (727) 464-6200 or visit Pinellas County Consumer Protection. Contact Community Development for affordable housing and first time homebuyer programs at (727) 464-8210 or visit Pinellas County Community Development.

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Communications Department
333 Chestnut Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 464-4600  FAX (727) 464-4432