Scam Awareness & Fraud Prevention
Resident Safety Resource

Scam Awareness & Fraud Prevention

Verify before you pay, reply, click, or share personal information. Scammers may impersonate government agencies, municipal departments, vendors, banks, utilities, or trusted organizations to request payments, personal information, banking information, or login credentials.

Miami Shores Village has been made aware of fraudulent emails impersonating Village officials and requesting payment for Planning and Zoning reviews, application approvals, permit-related fees, or other Village charges.

These scams may use publicly available information, such as property addresses, business names, application numbers, or project details, to make the message appear legitimate.

Miami Shores Village does not request wire-transfer payments or wire instructions by email for Planning and Zoning fees.

Before replying to any suspicious email or sending any payment, contact the Village directly using official contact information. Do not rely on phone numbers, email addresses, links, or payment instructions included in a suspicious message.

Review Unexpected Requests Carefully

Residents, property owners, businesses, contractors, and applicants should carefully review any unexpected request that appears to come from a Village department, especially if the message asks for money, wire instructions, banking information, passwords, verification codes, personal information, or urgent action.

Official Village emails generally come from an @msvfl.gov email address. However, email addresses, sender names, phone numbers, links, and websites can be spoofed or imitated. Always verify directly with the Village before replying, clicking links, or sending payment.

Department-specific payment links or instructions will be provided only when needed for specific Village transactions. If you are unsure whether a payment request is legitimate, call or email the Village directly before taking action.

Before You Pay or Reply

  • Stop and review the request carefully.
  • Do not click suspicious links or open unexpected attachments.
  • Do not send money, banking information, passwords, or verification codes.
  • Contact the Village directly using official contact information.
  • When in doubt, verify first.

Verify With Miami Shores Village

If you receive an unexpected request for payment, personal information, or sensitive information that appears to come from Miami Shores Village, contact the Village directly before replying or sending anything.

Village Main Line 305-795-2207
Official Website www.msvfl.gov
Planning & Zoning 305-762-4864
P&Z@msvfl.gov
Building Department BuildingDepartment@msvfl.gov
Code Compliance 305-762-4862
Finance Department FinanceDepartment@msvfl.gov
Police Non-Emergency 305-759-2468
Emergency Call 911

Common Scam Types

Fake Village Payment Requests

Messages claiming you must pay a Village fee, invoice, permit charge, approval fee, or penalty immediately.

Government Impersonation

Scammers pretending to be government employees or agencies to demand money or personal information.

Permit, Planning, or Inspection Scams

Fake requests related to permits, inspections, zoning reviews, planning applications, or development approvals.

Phishing Emails

Emails designed to trick you into clicking links, opening attachments, or entering login credentials.

Text Message Scams

Fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid tolls, missed payments, delivery issues, account problems, or urgent notices.

Fake Invoices and Wire Requests

Requests to send money to a new account, wire funds, or pay an invoice that appears legitimate but is fraudulent.

Utility or Service Shutoff Scams

Threats that a service will be disconnected unless immediate payment is made.

Gift Card, Crypto, or Cash Scams

Requests for payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, payment app, cash transfer, or other unusual methods.

Tech Support Scams

Calls, pop-ups, or emails claiming your device is infected and asking for remote access or payment.

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Requests for wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, payment apps, or unusual payment methods.
  • Instructions to reply by email for payment details or wire instructions.
  • Urgent language pressuring you to act immediately.
  • Threats of delays, penalties, approval holds, account closure, service shutoff, or legal action.
  • Requests for passwords, verification codes, banking information, Social Security numbers, or sensitive personal information.
  • Email addresses that do not end in @msvfl.gov when the message claims to be from Miami Shores Village.
  • Links to websites that are not official Village websites.
  • Requests that all communication be handled only by email.
  • Messages telling you not to call, verify, or contact the Village directly.

Code Compliance Complaint Information

For Code Compliance complaints, Florida law generally requires the complainant’s name and address before a code investigation may be initiated. This requirement does not apply if the reported issue appears to present an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare, or imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources.

This notice applies to Code Compliance complaints. Other Village services, applications, registrations, permits, payments, or requests may require different information depending on the transaction or service.

Public Records Notice

Information submitted to Miami Shores Village may be subject to Florida Public Records Law. Records received or maintained by the Village may be subject to public inspection and copying unless exempt or confidential under applicable law.

What To Do If You Receive a Suspicious Message

  • Do not reply to the suspicious message.
  • Do not click links or open attachments.
  • Do not send payment or banking information.
  • Do not provide passwords, verification codes, or personal information.
  • Contact Miami Shores Village directly using official contact information.
  • If you already sent money or sensitive information, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.
  • Consider reporting fraud or cybercrime through official federal reporting channels.
Miami Shores Village scam awareness flyer reminding residents to verify requests before paying, replying, clicking, or sharing personal information.

Official Scam Prevention Resources

The following resources are provided by official government agencies to help residents recognize scams, fraud, phishing, spoofing, and cybercrime.

FTC

Government Impersonation Scams

Learn how scammers impersonate government agencies and pressure victims to send money or personal information.

Read FTC Guidance
FTC

Imposter Scam Awareness

Review examples of imposter scams and learn how to stop, verify, and report suspicious activity.

View FTC Resources
FBI

Spoofing and Phishing

Learn how scammers disguise email addresses, sender names, phone numbers, and website links.

Read FBI Guidance
FBI

Business Email Compromise

Learn about fake invoice, wire-transfer, and payment-request scams that appear to come from trusted sources.

Learn About BEC Scams
CISA

Secure Our World

Cybersecurity videos and public resources about protecting yourself, your family, and your business online.

View CISA Resources

Stop. Verify. Then act. If something feels unusual, urgent, or suspicious, contact Miami Shores Village directly before replying, clicking, sharing information, or sending payment.