Fraud Prevention

No Malicious or Retaliatory Complaints

SNITCH is a Florida-based anonymous code violation complaint filing service. Because Florida SB 60 (2021) prohibits anonymous complaints, SNITCH files in its own name on behalf of clients. This page describes how SNITCH prevents abuse of that filing mechanism.

We take fraud prevention and ethical complaint filing seriously. Our goal is to help individuals and businesses address genuine code violations — not to be a tool for harassment or frivolous complaints.

What Qualifies as a Legitimate Code Complaint

SNITCH accepts complaints involving documented, observable property conditions that violate local municipal or county ordinances. Qualifying violations include:

  • Overgrown vegetation exceeding municipal height limits
  • Abandoned or inoperable vehicles on private property
  • Unpermitted construction or structural additions
  • Junk and debris accumulation on private property
  • Illegal land use or zoning violations
  • Short-term rental operations that violate local ordinance

A legitimate complaint is one where the complainant has direct, firsthand knowledge of the condition, can provide a specific property address, and can supply photographic evidence with intact GPS metadata confirming the location. SNITCH reviews every submission against these criteria before filing.

What SNITCH Will Not File

SNITCH will not file complaints that are:

  • Retaliatory in nature — filed in response to a personal dispute, neighborly conflict, or as payback for an unrelated grievance
  • Based solely on hearsay, rumors, or secondhand accounts
  • Lacking photographic evidence with intact, matching GPS metadata
  • Targeting a violation that does not fall within the jurisdiction's enforceable code
  • Containing false, fabricated, or materially misleading information

Users who submit false or misleading information are in breach of SNITCH's Terms of Use and assume full legal responsibility for the content of their submission. SNITCH assumes no liability for complaints filed based on client-provided information that proves to be inaccurate or fabricated.

Our Verification Measures

To prevent abuse, SNITCH may:

  • Require basic supporting evidence (photos with GPS metadata, documentation) for all submissions
  • Cross-check complaint details to confirm they are within jurisdiction and valid
  • Reject submissions where GPS coordinates do not match the reported property address
  • Deny service permanently to users who repeatedly file baseless complaints

Important: SNITCH is an administrative filing service, not a legal authority. We conduct basic vetting to ensure compliance with local regulations but do not determine the outcome of any complaint. Complaints are submitted under our name on behalf of the client.

Legal Consequences of Filing Fraudulent Complaints

Filing false code violation complaints can have serious legal consequences, including:

  • Defamation or libel claims if false accusations harm an individual or business
  • Potential fines or penalties for filing misleading reports with government agencies
  • Permanent service bans if SNITCH determines a user is engaging in fraudulent activity
  • Civil liability under Florida law for damages caused by knowingly false statements

How to Report Abuse of the SNITCH Platform

If you believe a complaint filed against your property through SNITCH was retaliatory, false, or filed in bad faith, contact us at go@joesnitch.com with your property address and any relevant documentation.

We take these reports seriously. Where a complaint is found to have been filed without legitimate basis, we will flag the submitting account and cooperate with any lawful investigation or disclosure request.

Ethical Reporting = Stronger Communities

We encourage responsible use of this service. Our platform is designed to hold violators accountable while ensuring fairness and due process. If you're unsure whether an issue qualifies as a violation, we recommend reviewing local codes or consulting with us before filing.

SNITCH was founded by Chaz Stevens, a 30-year First Amendment litigant whose work has been covered by CNN, the Washington Post, NPR, and Politico. We strongly support the right to petition the government for grievances — and we take equally seriously the obligation not to weaponize that right against innocent parties.

Disclaimer

SNITCH files complaints based on information provided by clients. Similar to how an accountant files tax returns relying on client-supplied data, SNITCH is not responsible for independently verifying all details submitted by the client. Clients affirm the truthfulness and accuracy of their provided information, and SNITCH assumes no liability for false, inaccurate, or misleading reports.