TAMPA, Fla., Monday, August 7, 2023 – The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office is announcing changes to their appointment scheduling system following an internal investigation which revealed scammers looking to take advantage of residents are bulk booking driver license appointments and reselling them to residents in need of services for a fee.

Following an influx of complaints regarding a lack of appointment availability and tip offs that third parties were selling appointments, the Tax Collector’s Office launched an investigation which revealed a pattern of daily appointments being reserved under identical names and email addresses.

While an appointment is not required to visit the Tax Collector’s Office for most services, residents can reserve appointments on the Tax Collector’s website up to 30 days in advance at no charge. It is believed that third parties are monitoring the scheduling software and immediately snapping up available appointments, possibly through the use of AI and bots, preventing residents from accessing available appointment slots.

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

Upon discovering that appointments were being sold, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office engaged with the Sheriff’s Office to investigate the situation. It is believed that these individuals are targeting minority populations, with most of the suspected “sold” appointments taking place in the Hispanic community. Residents are encouraged to report any suspected incidents of appointment selling to the Tax Collector’s Office.

To combat this fraud, the Tax Collector has implemented several changes to improve the integrity of appointment booking and to better serve Hillsborough County residents.

Changes to the Appointment Booking Process

1. One Booking Per Person/Email Address: The new system only allows one appointment booking per person. The limitation aims to prevent the mass booking of appointments by unauthorized entities.
2. Enhanced Verification Process: During the booking process, customers are required to enter their Driver License number, a parent’s Driver License number for minors, or an alien registration number.
3. Residency Requirements: Appointments are exclusively reserved for Hillsborough County residents and customers are required to confirm this acknowledgment before booking.
4. In-Person Confirmation: In accordance with these changes, staff at the Tax Collector’s branch offices check residency and ensure the names and ID numbers provided at the time of appointment booking match upon arrival to the office.  If they do not match, the appointment will not be honored.

“Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office prides ourselves on ensuring residents have access to services in a timely, efficient and convenient manner. Our goal is to make the process as smooth as possible, and the modifications to the booking system will allow us to meet the growing service demands and protect residents from fraudulent activity,” said Millan.

Hillsborough County has the third-largest population in Florida, with approximately 1.5 million residents, and is projected to reach 1.6 million by 2025. With so many new residents migrating to the region, the need for Tax Collector services, particularly drivers licenses, titles and registrations, is in high demand.

The Tax Collector’s Office continues to expand service capacity and streamline operations using new technologies to accommodate population growth. Additional staff have been hired to increase capacity for driving tests, and an expansion project at the North Tampa branch, set to reopen in September, will include an additional 5,000 sq. ft of service space.

Innovative technologies, such as Pocketalk language translation devices, are now available at all service locations. Self-service and virtual agent stations at the Plant City branch have freed up staff resources to assist additional customers remotely at the contact center, and will be implemented at the Southshore and North Tampa locations in the coming months.

The Tax Collector encourages residents to take advantage of online services when possible, including online driver license and registration renewals. Customers can access in-person services at eight locations throughout the county. Offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. Driver license services are available until 3:30 p.m.

For further information regarding services, locations and to book appointments, visit www.hillstax.org

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Tampa, FL— Nancy C. Millan, Hillsborough County Tax Collector is issuing a public warning regarding a recent tax scam that targets property taxpayers in the county.

In the last two weeks, the Tax Collector’s Office has been notified of a scam where taxpayers received a fraudulent “notice of tax lien” claiming they owed taxes and demanding immediate payment. These deceptive communications often mimic an official document and can easily mislead unsuspecting individuals into making payments to unauthorized entities.

Taxpayers should exercise caution if what appears to be a property tax-related bill or notice is received.  An official notice from the Hillsborough County Tax Collector will always include the office’s logo and contact information.  Taxpayers who receive a questionable “notice of tax lien” document are encouraged to contact the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office at 813-635-5200 or email [email protected] to verify if the document is legitimate.  Property tax information can also be found on the Tax Collector’s website at hillstax.org.

“If you suspect you have received a fraudulent tax notice or believe you have been targeted by a scam, report the incident to the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office and local law enforcement authorities. By promptly reporting such activities, you can help protect others from falling victim to similar scams.  We are committed to safeguarding the residents of Hillsborough County from fraud,” says Millan.

For more information on the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s office, visit hillstax.org.

Partners with Hillsborough Education Foundation for their annual school supply drive

Tampa, FL Hillsborough County Tax Collector, Nancy C. Millan announced their annual school supply drive to “Erase the Need” for teachers and students in Hillsborough County.

“Since 2006, we’ve partnered with the Hillsborough Education Foundation to collect school supplies for our students and teachers who need them the most,” said Tax Collector, Nancy Millan. “Last year, due to our team’s efforts and generosity, we collected 46,000 items for their school supply drive.” she continued.

This year, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s office is asking their employees and customers to join them once again for this amazing initiative during the month of July to “Erase the Need” and put school supplies in the hands of students.  To find a Tax Collector’s office near you for donation drop off, visit hillstax.org.

For almost 35 years the Hillsborough Education Foundation has been committed to strengthening public education through advocacy, investment of resources, and programs that empower every student to achieve academic and personal success.

Each year, HEF distributes supplies to serve around one hundred thousand students. Supplies are available to teachers in Title one schools to shop for much needed classroom resources – for free! That means items such as backpacks, pencils, paper, notebooks, and anything else that you can donate will help make a big difference in a student’s life.

To learn more about the Hillsborough Education Foundation and how you can help, visit educationfoundation.com.

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Tampa, FL— June 28, 2023 — All Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s offices will be closed on Tuesday, July 4th, in observance of Independence Day.

The Tax Collector’s office will reopen on Wednesday, July 5th at 8:00 a.m. for normal business hours. To take advantage of our online services, please visit hillstax.org.

Hillsborough County Tax Collector, Nancy C. Millan announced the opening of a temporary office location to serve Hillsborough County customers during the closure of the North Tampa office.

The North Tampa office is being expanded by 5,000 square feet.  The new and improved office, set to be re-opened in the fall, will have new and innovative service features such a self-service stations and virtual agent stations along with more lobby seating and customer service stations.

The temporary space will open on Monday, June 26th, and is adjacent to their existing location at 3011 University Center Drive in Tampa. Debit, credit, and check payments will be accepted for transactions in the temporary office site. No cash payments will be accepted.

The temporary space will have limited capacity, so Millan encourages customers to take advantage of the Tax Collector’s online services when possible, including online driver license and registration renewals, property tax payments and business tax payments.  Convenient online services include Express Lane services for registration renewals with same day pickup in select Tax Collector locations.

Customers can also access other offices conveniently located throughout Hillsborough County.  Visit hillstax.org/location for a listing of all locations.  Offices are open at 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday and from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Wednesdays. Driver License services are available until 3:30 p.m.

To learn more about Tax Collector services, information, and other locations, visit hillstax.org.

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To better serve the diverse population of the community that come through their doors daily, Hillsborough County Tax Collector, Nancy C. Millan, announced today that they are the first Tax Collector’s Office in the state of Florida to launch language translation technology through Pocketalk handheld devices to enhance their customer experience. The Pocketalk handheld devices translate 82 languages with industry-leading speed, accuracy, and ease of use, bridging the language gap between our diverse community.

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office serves a population of about 1.5 million residents in Hillsborough County with government services including driver license services, titling and registration of vehicles, and property and business tax collection, just to name a few.

“We needed a way to communicate with non-English speaking customers to reduce bottlenecks in our customer flow and reduce repeat visits to our offices,” said Millan. “This technology is not a substitute for human connection, but a tool to enhance it. By implementing Pocketalk, we can improve the customer experience, while also increasing efficiency and productivity. Technology is not the end goal, but the means to achieve it.”

After a short trial period, Tax Collector employees quickly realized these features provided countless benefits to both employees and customers. Since launching the pilot program, the Tax Collector’s Office has expanded the number of devices and deployed 100 Pocketalks throughout their offices.

“We hear stories like Nancy’s almost daily – organizations, government offices, people – all looking for a way to connect with others from diverse backgrounds, speaking a multitude of languages,” shares Joe Miller, General Manager – U.S. and Europe, Pocketalk. “We never lose sight that what we offer isn’t just a product but a conversation, a connection, a way to better understand each other and remove barriers that can impact our daily lives. We hope to see the positive impact on experience continue for the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s office and the community.”

The office is seeing improved service delivery outcomes and positive sentiment since the Pocketalk handheld devices have been added to their offices. Millan and her team are committed to creating more inclusivity across all services that meet the needs of a growing community. To learn more about their programs, services, and community initiatives, visit hillstax.org.

Pocketalk offers personal and enterprise level solutions for language translation needs, including the Pocketalk S and Pocketalk Console. In addition to government services, Pocketalk has transformed communication in education, healthcare, and shipping and logistics. For more information, visit pocketalk.com.

Since taking office in 2021, Millan has been working tirelessly to break the perception of the typical DMV, by expanding accessibility and using technology to improve the service experience to customers in Hillsborough County.

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ABOUT POCKETALK

Pocketalk is the global leader in connecting the world and facilitating conversation through the only translation solutions on the market that enable an authentic communication experience. Pocketalk, which is HIPAA and GDPR compliant, connects people of all backgrounds through language translation  fast, easy and most importantly, accurate translation. Developed, manufactured and distributed by Sourcenext, the largest distributor and creator of software, hardware, and IoT products in Japan, Pocketalk officially launched in the U.S. in 2018 with headquarters in Palo Alto, CA. The company offers translation solutions through the handheld Pocketalk collection and, in an exciting innovation, now the cloud-based Pocketalk enterprise solutions and Pocketalk App. The two-way translation solutions can translate 82 languages and be utilized anywhere in the world with an internet or data connection. To find more information or purchase Pocketalk, visit Pocketalk.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn to stay in touch with our latest updates.

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office will be hosting a press conference at its Drew Park office, located at 4100 West Martin Luther King Jr, Boulevard in Tampa at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 16^th, to announce the launch of a groundbreaking device, Pocketalk, that can translate speech and text in 82 languages.

Pocketalk is a small, handheld device, where users can speak in their native language and hear or see the translation in their chosen language instantly.

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector is the first Tax Collector’s office in the State of Florida to implement this translation device – with industry-leading speed, accuracy, and ease of use, which improves the overall customer experience.

Hillsborough County Tax Collector, Nancy Millan; and Paul Malmquist, Director of Business Development for Pocketalk, will be available for follow-up.

By innovating and thinking about better ways to serve customers, Nancy Millan is breaking the perception of the typical DMV.

When: Friday, June 16, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Where: Tax Collector’s Drew Park Office

4100 West Martin Luther King Jr, Boulevard

Tampa, FL 33614

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Hillsborough County Tax Collector, Nancy C. Millan is honored to partner with the Lion’s World Vision Institute and the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation to offer free eye exams and hearing tests to children at Tax Collector locations in the month of June. The free vision and hearing screenings are part of the Tax Collector’s Annual Safety Awareness Month.

Stop by the Tax Collector locations below on the dates listed between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to take advantage of these free services:

• June 15 Brandon – 3030 N Falkenburg Rd.
• June 16 Drew Park – 4100 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
• June 22 East Tampa – 2814 E Hillsborough Ave.
• June 23 Plant City – 4706 Sydney Road, Plant City
• June 29 Southshore – 406 30th St. SE, Ruskin
• June 30 East Tampa – 2814 E Hillsborough Ave.

For an eye exam, families can sign up for their children, ages 5 to 17, by visiting https://bit.ly/eye-screenings2023.  All other safety activities are available without reservations.

BayCare Kids will also be at the events providing car seat safety checks and the City of Tampa will provide Water Safety information.

According to Lions World Vision Institute, 80% of all vision impairment can be prevented or cured.  However, 1 in 5 children cannot afford eye care.  Based on research provided by Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation, over 34 million children worldwide have disabling hearing loss.

“Both vision and hearing impairment can significantly impact a child’s development, education, and social life. That is why we are honored to partner with the Lion’s World Vision Institute and the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation to provide hearing tests, eye exams, and glasses, if needed, to children in our community,” said Millan.

Lions World Vision Institute (LWVI) is a nonprofit organization committed to honoring vision as a basic human right, here in Tampa Bay and around the globe. “In today’s visual world, sight plays such a critical role in how we learn and interact, yet far too many children are burdened with vision struggles,” said Sharon Boyes, Executive Director of Lions World Vision Institute Foundation. “Undiagnosed/untreated eye issues have a profound effect on a child’s learning and success in school and life. As the operators of the Glazer Mobile Vision Clinic, LWVI is pleased to partner once again with the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office to provide critical eye care services and resources to children that need it most.”

To learn more about the services provided at the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s office, visit hillstax.org.

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[Tampa, FL] – Hillsborough County Tax Collector, Nancy C. Millan, will be temporarily closing the Tax Collector’s North Tampa office, located at 3011 University Center Drive in Tampa, to expand the facility starting on June 16^th at 12:00 p.m.

Hillsborough County now has the third largest population in Florida with approximately 1.5 million residents. According to ESRI, the population is projected to reach 1.6 million by 2025. Statewide motorist data shows the number of licensed drivers in Hillsborough County has increased by over 20% since 2010 – a net increase of over 227,000 licensed drivers. With so many new residents migrating to the area, Tax Collector services – including driver licenses, titles, and registrations – are in high demand.

Due to the growing demand for service, Millan will be expanding the North Tampa office by 5,000 square feet.  Upon re-opening, the location will have more lobby seating and customer service stations.  The Tax Collector’s office on University Center Drive has been open since 2011 and serves about 17 percent of the Tax Collector’s total branch customer base, estimated to be about one million in 2023.  Millan anticipates the new and improved North Tampa office will re-open in the fall.

“We will work to minimize any disruptions to our services during this period,” said Millan. “We are excited about the opportunity to expand services in the North Tampa area to meet service demands, even if we have to close for a short period to make it happen.”  The new and improved office will have new and innovative service features such a self-service stations and virtual agent stations.

Millan plans to open a temporary location on Monday, June 26^th in the space adjacent to their existing location to continue serving customers in this area during construction. Debit, credit, and check payments will be accepted for transactions in the temporary office site. No cash payments will be accepted.

The temporary space will have limited capacity, so Millan encourages customers to take advantage of the Tax Collector’s online services when possible, including online driver license and registration renewals, property tax payments and business tax payments.  Convenient online services include Express Lane services for registration renewals with same day pickup in select Tax Collector locations.

Customers can also access other offices conveniently located throughout Hillsborough County.  Visit hillstax.org/location for a listing of all locations.  Offices are open at 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday and from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Wednesdays.   Driver License services are available until 3:30 p.m.

To learn more about Tax Collector services, information, and other locations, visit hillstax.org.