The Miami-Dade County Tax Collector's Office has uncovered an organized network dedicated to hoarding and reselling appointments— which are free— for driver's license processing, adversely affecting thousands of residents.
The discovery has been announced by Dariel Fernández, the current tax collector of the county, who recently took office and has initiated concrete actions to confront this fraudulent scheme.
"We know who they are and how they operate. We will not accept any appointments obtained through abuse of the system", stated the tax collector in a press release.
"We were able to detect everything that was happening due to the implementation of new software and programs we have been acquiring," Fernández explained in a statement to Univision.
“We began to notice that many of these appointments were made using a single phone number. Many of the people who arrived told us that their appointments were being resold to them at prices ranging from 50 to 250 dollars,” he specified.
The problem, which had been affecting the residents of Miami-Dade for some time, caused long lines and a shortage of available appointments, as resellers were blocking the online reservation system to later resell the appointments.
According to the details provided, most cases originated from driving schools in the county, where intermediaries charged citizens for appointments that are actually free.
In some cases, the victims were contacted while they were waiting in line.
The Tax Collector has been clear in stating that these practices are illegal and that their office will not allow people's needs to be exploited.
"I am not going to allow them to charge any amount of dollars just for making an appointment. We are here to provide a service, and the companies that unscrupulously do this should know that the law will come after them as well, because they cannot do that. It's like wanting to play with a need that a resident in Miami-Dade County has," he pointed out.
Although no arrests have been made yet, Fernández stated that there is an "ongoing investigation" and that "they will do so very soon," as it is a coordinated effort with several law enforcement agencies.
Fernández announced that his office will work closely with county officials and law enforcement to eradicate this type of fraud and ensure a fair and accessible appointment system for all citizens.
"Our office is committed to ensuring that all residents have fair and equal access to services, without interference from those looking to exploit the system," reads the statement released.
The document also emphasized the importance of citizens reporting any attempts to charge for appointments to the authorities.
Measures to improve care and curb abuses
The collector also addressed the recurring complaints about the long waits and the difficulty in securing appointments.
In response, improvements are being implemented on the official appointment platform, and surveillance has been strengthened to prevent the system from being exploited again by unscrupulous actors.
"Our message is clear: residents should not pay a non-regulated third party for what should be a free appointment. Our website is easier to use than ever, book your visit directly through the Tax Collector's Office", Fernández concluded.
"Anyone who needs to make an appointment should not pay a single cent and should report it to the appropriate police department."
Through these actions, the Miami-Dade Tax Collector's Office aims to restore community trust, ensure equitable access to services, and protect residents against fraudulent practices.
"Our commitment is to ensure that all residents have equitable access to services, free from interference or undue costs," he concluded.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, residents can visit the official website of the Miami-Dade Tax Collector's Office at mdctaxcollector.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fraud in Obtaining Driver's Licenses in Miami-Dade
What fraud network was dismantled in Miami-Dade?
The Miami-Dade County Tax Collector's Office dismantled an organized network that resold free appointments for driver's licenses. This network blocked the online reservation system and then resold the appointments at prices ranging from $50 to $250, impacting thousands of county residents.
How did the appointment resale network operate in Miami?
The network was dedicated to hoarding free appointments for driver's license processing and then reselling them to citizens. They primarily operated through intermediaries in county driving schools, charging for appointments that were supposed to be free, using a single phone number to book multiple appointments.
What measures are being taken to prevent this type of fraud in Miami-Dade?
The Tax Collector's Office is implementing improvements to the appointment platform and strengthening oversight to prevent abuse of the system. Additionally, they are working in coordination with law enforcement agencies to eradicate these fraudulent practices, and the importance of citizens reporting any attempts to charge for appointments to the authorities has been emphasized.
What impact did this fraud network have on the residents of Miami-Dade?
The fraud caused long lines and a shortage of available appointments, affecting thousands of residents who needed to obtain or renew their driver's licenses. This increased frustration and made it difficult to access essential services, as many people had to pay unjustly for appointments that should be free.
Filed under:
