Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez urges the public to stay alert as fraudulent message scams impersonating state agencies circulate across South Florida
Residents across Miami-Dade County are being warned about a growing text message scam that falsely claims recipients owe money for unpaid traffic violations. Dariel Fernandez, Miami-Dade County Tax Collector, recently alerted the public that scammers are sending messages pretending to represent the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The alerts highlight an ongoing challenge for South Florida communities as digital scams become more sophisticated, making public education and community awareness essential components of Miami-Dade County policy and regional governance.
How the text message scam works
According to the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office, the fraudulent messages typically claim the recipient has an unpaid traffic citation and must click a link to resolve the issue immediately. In some cases, the message instructs the individual to make a payment online to avoid penalties or further legal action.
Officials emphasize that these messages are not legitimate. Neither the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office nor the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) sends text messages requesting payment for traffic violations or asking residents to click on links to resolve citations.
County leaders are urging residents to delete the messages immediately and report them as spam. Clicking on suspicious links may expose personal or financial information to criminals, increasing the risk of identity theft or fraud.
Why public awareness matters in South Florida
Local officials say mesagescams targeting government services have become increasingly common across South Florida. Fraudulent messages often attempt to create a sense of urgency so recipients react quickly without verifying the information.
Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez emphasized that protecting residents from fraud requires both vigilance and reliable information. He encouraged community members to confirm any government-related message through official channels before taking action.
Residents who are unsure about the legitimacy of a message claiming to be from a government agency are encouraged to contact the appropriate office directly through official websites or phone numbers rather than responding to unsolicited communications.
For continued reporting on Miami-Dade County policy, community safety alerts, and public education efforts across South Florida, readers are encouraged to subscribe to the Calle Ocho News newsletter. Local organizations and businesses interested in reaching Miami-Dade County’s diverse audience can also contact Pressnet Corp. to explore advertising and partnership opportunities with Calle Ocho News.
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