A Pompano Beach retiree was taken aback after opening a mailing from the Broward County Property Tax Collector and finding a license plate stamped with the letters and numbers "SQZ A55." The plate, which the 76-year-old woman said was intended for her vehicle, prompted immediate frustration and contact with local authorities.
The woman, identified in reports as Nancy Dello Stritto, told CBS News Miami she was shocked and angered by the message, saying she could not imagine driving with a plate that carried those characters. An office manager with the Broward County Property Tax Collector confirmed to the station that a plate deemed offensive can be replaced free of charge.
What residents should know
State and county agencies said the matter can be resolved without charge if the plate is judged offensive. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) handles issuance standards, while county property tax collector offices distribute and mail plates to vehicle owners.
- Plate text at issue: SQZ A55
- Owner's location: Pompano Beach
- Replacement policy: county office confirmed free replacement if offensive
"I don't think a senior who is almost 77 will be driving around with a plate that has that to say,"
The incident has drawn lighthearted comparisons to a 1990s television episode in which a character received an unintended vanity plate. The woman said she was considering keeping the plate after polling friends and family; most advised her to keep it. She also said she planned to notify the DHSMV about the issue.
Agency roles and next steps
Local residents who receive plates they consider inappropriate should contact their county property tax collector's office first. The county manager who spoke with reporters said replacement is available at no cost when a plate is judged offensive. The DHSMV oversees licensing policies and would be the next point of contact for broader questions about approval processes.
This episode underscores how automated or batch mailings can produce unexpected outcomes and the avenues available for corrections. The Broward County office did not provide additional details about how the plate was selected or how frequently such errors occur.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Recipient | Nancy Dello Stritto, 76 |
| City | Pompano Beach |
| Plate | SQZ A55 |
| Office | Broward County Property Tax Collector; DHSMV notified |
Officials with the Broward County Property Tax Collector confirmed to CBS News Miami they will provide a replacement if the plate is ruled offensive. The woman said she may keep the plate and expects a few honks, but plans to notify the DHSMV about the mix-up.
Reporting for this story relied on CBS News Miami coverage and statements from the Broward County Property Tax Collector's office as relayed to the station.
