What HOA's and Condo Associations Need to Know

Until recently, only large condominium associations in Florida—those with 150 or more units—were required by law to maintain a community website. That changed on July 1, 2024, when House Bill 1021, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, took effect. This legislation dramatically broadened the requirement, lowering the threshold so that any condominium association with 25 or more units must now operate a compliant website or mobile application.

The deadline for associations to meet these requirements is January 1, 2026.

This change means thousands of smaller associations must now prepare to create or upgrade their digital platforms to remain compliant. While the process may feel burdensome at first, maintaining a website will not only meet legal obligations but also streamline the way associations handle record requests and improve transparency with unit owners.

Under the new law, if official records are posted online, associations may direct unit owners to the website instead of arranging an in-person inspection. The Condominium Act now specifically provides that digital access via a website or mobile app is sufficient to fulfill the board’s legal responsibility.

Email scams are becoming more convincing every day, and one of the latest tricks making the rounds is the “Your Messages Couldn’t Be Delivered” phishing scam.

It preys on our natural urge to keep communication flowing, making you believe your outgoing emails have failed to send because of an expired password or outdated account information.

While it may look like a legitimate notice from your email provider, this scam is designed with one purpose: to steal your email credentials. Here’s how it works and what you can do to protect yourself.

How the Scam Works

1. Phishing Email
It starts with a message claiming that your recent emails didn’t go through. The email might use your provider’s logo and branding to appear official, warning that your account will be suspended unless you update your password or confirm your account details immediately. This creates a false sense of urgency, pushing you to act quickly without thinking.

2. Fake Login Page
If you click the link in the email, you’ll be redirected to a phishing site that mimics a legitimate login page. Once you enter your email address and password, the scammers instantly gain access to your account—and possibly much more. 

Emails that start out like this are always spam, and potentially a phishing or scam attempt.

Hi,

Greetings!

I came across your website and noticed that you were not ranking well for certain keyword phrases.

I would like to send you a comprehensive SEO strategy and proposal to help improve your Google rankings dramatically.

If are you interested, then I send the proposal and price list,

Kind Regards,
Amrita,

Here’s why:

Red Flags That Make This Email Suspicious:

Unsolicited Offer
You didn’t request SEO help, yet the sender is offering services out of the blue. Legitimate businesses typically don’t cold-email strangers with generic pitches.

If your business recently received an email from someone claiming to be with the “WCBRB Worldwide Certified Business Review Board,” congratulating you on being selected as one of the "Best Businesses in America 2025," be cautious—it’s a scam.

Here’s why this message is not a legitimate award or recognition, but a cleverly disguised attempt to lure businesses into paying for a fake endorsement.

Red Flags in the Email

Let’s take a closer look at the email and break down why it raises multiple red flags:

1. You Didn’t Apply for Anything

One of the easiest ways to identify a scam is this: Did you apply for or nominate yourself for this recognition?

Legitimate awards or certifications usually involve an application process, peer nomination, or performance-based evaluation. In this case, the email says you’ve already been selected and approved—but you never applied. That’s not how real business awards work.

If you've recently received an email that looks something like this:

Subject: Reminder to Revalidate Your Rackspace Email
From: Rackspace (or a similar name)

Dear Customer,

This is a reminder to revalidate your Rackspace email account before June 30, 2025.

This notice applies to your email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To avoid any disruption to your email service, please log in using your current email address and password to complete the validation process.

Don’t click. Don’t respond. And whatever you do, do not enter your password.

This is a classic phishing scam designed to trick you into handing over your login credentials.

Let’s Break Down Why This Email Is a Scam

1. Generic Greeting

Legitimate companies like Rackspace will almost always address you by your full name or the name on the account. “Dear Customer” is a red flag—it’s how scammers avoid personalizing thousands of spam emails.

If you’ve received an alarming email claiming someone is trying to trademark your business name, urging you to act immediately or risk losing your rights, don’t panic.

You’re likely the target of a common trademark scam designed to pressure business owners into paying unnecessary fees or signing up for overpriced (or completely fake) services.

Below, we’ll break down why this specific email is a scam, what red flags to look for, and what to do instead.

The Scam Email Breakdown

Let’s take a closer look at the message:

“Another party has approached us to file a trademark application for the same name...your business demonstrates prior and consistent use, giving you a stronger legal position.”

Sounds official and urgent, right? That’s exactly the point. Scammers use fear tactics and vague legal language to create panic and rush your decision-making. The goal is to get you to respond immediately — and often, pay a fee to “secure” your trademark before someone else does.

Red Flags in the Email:

Unsolicited Trademark Warning

The USPTO (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office) does not send notices through random third parties. Only attorneys or trademark professionals you hire should be contacting you about your intellectual property.

Vague

If you recently received a text message claiming to be your "FINAL NOTICE" from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) about unpaid tolls, you're not alone.

These types of scams are making the rounds across Florida, targeting drivers with fear-inducing threats of fines, legal action, and vehicle impoundment.

Here’s the full message:

Florida Department of Transportation – FINAL NOTICE
This is your FINAL official notice from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) regarding an unpaid toll associated with your vehicle.
You must pay the outstanding balance within 24 hours using the link below. Failure to pay by the deadline will result in immediate penalties, including:
• Substantial fines and escalating late fees
• Suspension of your vehicle registration through the Florida DHSMV
• Possible vehicle impoundment
• Legal action, which may include court proceedings, significant financial penalties, and potential wage garnishment

This is your LAST WARNING—take action now to avoid severe consequences!

[Pay Now]  (websitelink)

If the link does not work, reply “Y” to receive a new link or copy and paste it into your browser. No further notices will be sent.

Why This Is a Scam

Let’s break it down:

1. FDOT and SunPass Don’t Send Threatening Texts

Florida's

If you’re a small business owner, chances are you’ve received an email like this one:

Hi,

Greetings for the morning.

I looked over your website ********* and think both it and your businesses have a lot of potential.

I'd like to send you an audit report of your website with prices and some suggestions on how to significantly enhance these search results, if you don't mind.

These are not hard tasks, and I will provide a detailed report. It will outline precisely what must be done to significantly raise your ranking.

We have the ability to list your (website, design, post, graphics, repair, and screenshot on Google's first page) (including YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Yahoo).

Could I email you a quote? In the event that you're intrigued

Regards ahead of time!

Twanda

At first glance, this might seem like a helpful offer to improve your website’s SEO and digital presence. But let’s break it down—and explain why this message is almost certainly a scam.

Red Flags in the Message

1. Vague Language and Poor Grammar
Scam emails often contain strange phrasing like “Greetings for the morning” or “regards ahead of time.” These awkward or overly formal greetings,

Have you ever found yourself desperate to erase a negative review?

There are numerous “reputation management” companies out there that may try to take advantage of your situation.

You might encounter ads boasting “Guaranteed Review Removal” or “Pay Only If It’s Removed.” This is a highly lucrative industry that capitalizes on the fears of business owners willing to pay to have negative feedback eliminated.

In reality, no reputation management firm, regardless of how much you pay, can guarantee the removal of bad reviews from Google. Reviews are only taken down if they violate Google’s content policies. No company has the power to delete a review, nor can you pay Google for removal.

There are no hidden secrets or backdoor methods to getting reviews removed. The real challenge lies in finding a Google Support representative who understands the guidelines. At best, any paid service might just be effective at communicating with Google Support about its policies.

However, the reality is often much less favorable. So, how do these reputation companies operate?

Their business model is quite simple: they click the "flag" button on the review and then charge you if it disappears. Remember, no one can guarantee the removal of a

If your Condo Association or HOA does not have a website, or if your existing website is not in compliance, Concept Digital Media can help.

Florida Statute requires Condominium and Homeowners Association to own and operate a public website where residents and owners can access a variety of documents, without having to contact management or the board

Condominium and HOA websites must also have a password-protected subsection that allows for sensitive information to be shared securely, while protecting the privacy of the owners.

In addition to the numerous legal requirements designed to address transparency concerns, HOA and Condo websites can feature event photos, amenities, and other community highlights designed to attract prospective buyers in an efficient and cost-effective way.

Key features of the best HOA and Condo Association websites include:

Mobile-Friendly Design

Your website should be easily accessible on both mobile and desktop devices. These days, mobile traffic accounts for a significant percentage of web visits. More people than ever are using their phones for internet browsing. Ensuring that your site is mobile-friendly enhances convenience and accessibility for all users.

Community Calendar

Integrating a community calendar into your website is an effective way to boost event attendance and keep everyone