Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez and State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle Join Forces to Combat Appointment Scalping Fraud

Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez met with State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle and her team to explore collaborative efforts in combating illegal operations that exploit the driver license and identification card appointment system. These fraudulent activities, which involve scalping appointments and reselling them at inflated prices, undermine public trust and create unnecessary barriers for residents seeking essential services.

“As your Tax Collector, I’m committed to protecting the integrity of our services and ensuring residents are treated fairly,” said Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez. “Collaboration with our justice partners is key to building a stronger, safer Miami-Dade.”

During the meeting, Fernandez and Rundle discussed strategies to identify bad actors, disrupt fraudulent networks, and hold perpetrators accountable. By leveraging law enforcement resources and enhancing security measures, the initiative aims to prevent appointment scalping and restore fairness in access to driver license and identification card services.

on April 1, 2025, in a significant step toward addressing this issue, the Miami-Dade County Commission unanimously approved a legislative ordinance sponsored by Commissioner Kevin Cabrera that will penalize appointment scalpers who abuse the scheduling system and appropriate government services for personal gain. Perpetrators will face fines of up to $500 and possible imprisonment.

A few weeks ago, Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez released a statement announcing that his Office had cracked down on individuals and businesses who were hoarding available appointments, blocking residents from the opportunity to receive services for free. When the scheduling system reflected no available appointments, these bad actors would sell the slots they had previously blocked for a fee. Additionally, some individuals would charge others for their place in line, further exploiting the system.

Residents who suspect fraudulent activity related to appointment scalping are encouraged to report it to the appropriate authorities. The Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office remain committed to transparency and justice in ensuring that all residents have equitable access to essential government services.

For more information, please contact the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office at press@mdctaxcollector.gov