Process server scams are an unfortunate reality of the industry. Illegitimate, uncertified process servers lure in unsuspecting plaintiffs and attorneys, offering bargain prices and empty promises. By the time the victim finds out that the service they paid for was illegal, it’s usually too late! The defendant in the case can use the improper service by the uncertified process server as grounds to request extension of court dates, suppression of evidence, or even dismissal of the entire case.
Don’t risk your entire case by using a cut-rate process server. Instead, use the following tips to vet any process server you are considering hiring, and protect yourself from unscrupulous scammers:
Ask for Proof of Proper Certification
All process servers in St. Lucie County must be certified and approved by Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit. Servers must renew their certification every year. In general, process servers must meet the following requirements to seek approval:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have no mental disability
- Be a Florida resident
- Have a clean background and criminal history
- Possess a Certificate of Good Conduct filed with the court or sheriff’s office
- Passage of a training course and exam
- Post a surety bond
You can find a list of process servers approved to work in St. Lucie County here. If the server you are considering hiring is not on this list, then they are not permitted to serve process in St. Lucie County, and any process they serve is invalid. There could be serious consequences for your case if you use a process server that is not approved!
Test Their Knowledge
The process server that you hire should know all of the laws related to the serving process in and out. Indications that you’re working with an illegitimate process server could be that:
- They attempt to serve on Sunday
- They wear a disguise while serving process
- They lie about their identity
- They give process recipients advice about their cases
- They threaten or try to intimidate process recipients
- They engage in illegal activities while serving, such as breaking and entering
If you notice any of these warning signs, end your relationship with the server immediately and find a reputable one instead! Here at Accurate Serve® of Port St. Lucie, we make sure that all of our servers are well-versed in applicable laws and never engage in any type of illicit behavior.
Verify Their Experience
Just like any other industry, experience matters. Hands-on experience teaches you things that classroom training just can’t match. Ask the process server that you are considering for references of past clients that you can actually contact for verification. Don’t skip this step! If a server is not able to produce reasonable references or gives false information, you should move on to the next prospect because the risk to your case’s outcome and the firm’s reputation just isn’t worth it.
Quality Service of Process in St. Lucie County
Accurate Serve® has been providing quality process service to attorneys and their firms since 2009! Our servers here in Port St. Lucie are fully approved to serve in Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit, which covers St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties, so your case is never at risk of dismissal due to improper service. Check out our reviews to see why we’re considered one of the area’s most highly regarded process service agencies. Not in St. Lucie County? Check out theaccurateservefranchise.com to find the office nearest to you!
