Residents of the Middle District of Florida continue to receive fraudulent phone calls or emails claiming that they have an arrest warrant or face a similar adverse situation due to a failure to appear in federal court. The scammer may claim the individual missed jury duty or has been charged with a crime. The scammer may tell the victim that he or she can avoid arrest or other negative consequences by making a payment, which may include purchasing a prepaid card and then giving the card number to the scammer. The scammer may also ask for payment via Venmo, Zelle, or cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin.

Click HERE for more information.

Effective December 1, 2024, the following Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, Official Bankruptcy Forms, and Director's Bankruptcy Forms were amended:

• Bankruptcy Rules 1007, 4004, 5009, 7001, 8023.1 (new rule), and 9006;


• Official Form 410; and


• Director's Forms 1040, 2000, and 2630.

Official Form 423 was abrogated. Rule 1007(b)(7) requires submission of a certificate from the approved course provider to evidence completion of a course in personal financial management.

In addition, the Bankruptcy Rules, Parts I through IX, have been restyled.

Click HERE for information about the rule amendments.

Click HERE for information about the form amendments.