The Miami-Dade Tax Collector, Dariel Fernandez, has issued a warning to county residents after receiving reports from individuals who obtained appointment confirmations through an unofficial website, only to find out that these appointments were not valid.
Unauthorized Appointment Confirmations Raise Concerns
On Friday, Fernandez explained in a post on X that these reports involve ZipAppointments.com, a platform offering appointment scheduling for services at locations that may appear to be associated with the Miami-Dade Tax Collector's Office.
"These appointments were not made through the official system of the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector's Office and are not valid appointments with our office," Fernandez warned.
Official Office Reaction and Public Advisory
The Tax Collector's Office itself confirmed the alert, noting that residents have arrived at their facilities with confirmation from ZipAppointments that do not appear in the official system.
Fernandez urged the public not to provide personal information, make payments, or book appointments through unofficial websites.
"Protecting our residents also means ensuring they know where to safely access our services," he emphasized.
Guidance for Secure Appointment Scheduling
The only recognized portal for directly managing appointments with the office is mdctaxcollector.gov. From this site, users can select the appropriate option to schedule a visit to the offices managed by the tax collector.
Fernandez also recommended that anyone who has already received a confirmation through ZipAppointments or another external platform should verify the supposed appointment before heading to an office.
To assist with verification, the institution has activated the number (305) 375-5448, the same official phone number published by the Miami-Dade Tax Collector's Office.
Past Incidents and Ongoing Issues
This week, public broadcaster WLRN reported that the issue came to light after people began showing up at the offices with third-party confirmations that did not correspond to existing appointments in the county's system.
"No family should hand over personal information, pay an external website, or take a day off work for an appointment that does not exist in our system," Fernandez had warned in a statement released by his office.
The problem of intermediaries and irregular appointments is not new in Miami-Dade, having affected several residents in previous years.
For instance, in 2025, county authorities approved measures against the resale of driver's license appointments after detecting networks hoarding free slots using bots and fake accounts, later offering them to residents for money.
Subsequently, Florida tightened consequences against those reselling appointments, amid efforts to curb a business that had caused long waits and difficulties in accessing free services.
Frequently Asked Questions about Miami-Dade Tax Appointments
How can I book an official appointment with the Miami-Dade Tax Collector's Office?
The only official portal for booking appointments is through mdctaxcollector.gov. This website allows you to directly manage and schedule visits to the Tax Collector's Office.
What should I do if I have a confirmation from an unofficial site like ZipAppointments?
If you have a confirmation from an unofficial site, verify the appointment by contacting the Miami-Dade Tax Collector's Office at the official number: (305) 375-5448 before visiting any office.
Why are unofficial appointment websites a concern?
Unofficial appointment websites pose a concern because they can lead to invalid appointments, risking personal information security, and potential financial loss for residents who might pay for non-existent services.