By Coral Gables Gazette staff
Coral Gables has issued a public warning about a scam targeting applicants with items on upcoming Planning and Zoning Board agendas. At least one person has received a fraudulent letter—appearing to use official city letterhead—demanding payment of additional fees and instructing the recipient to wire funds to an unauthorized account.
According to city officials, Coral Gables will never request payment by wire transfer, and applicants should be cautious if they receive any unexpected correspondence related to pending development or zoning applications.
One incident reported locally
Martha Pantin, Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the City of Coral Gables, said that while similar scams have been reported in other South Florida communities, only one local case has been identified so far.
“We were advised by the City Attorney’s Office that they received information indicating this type of scam has occurred in other South Florida communities,” Pantin said. “In the City of Coral Gables, we are aware of only one instance. In that case, an applicant contacted our Development Services Department after receiving what appeared to be an official request to wire funds. We immediately advised the applicant not to proceed.”
Pantin said the city acted quickly to inform the public through its E-News system and by posting a fraud alert on the city’s homepage, reminding residents and applicants that Coral Gables never asks anyone to wire money under any circumstances.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to share this information more broadly,” she said. “While this issue primarily affects applicants with items before the Planning and Zoning Board, we believe the broader public should also remain vigilant and verify any suspicious requests directly with the city.”
What applicants should do
The city’s advisory outlines several important reminders for applicants and residents to help prevent potential fraud:
- Do not wire money. The City of Coral Gables does not request payment by wire transfer for any Planning and Zoning or Board item.
- Verify any request. Always confirm fee notices or documentation directly through the city’s official channels at CoralGables.com or with your known city staff contact. Do not rely on contact information listed in a suspicious letter or email.
- Report fraud immediately. If you receive a fraudulent or questionable request, do not pay. Contact the Coral Gables Police non-emergency line at 305-442-1600.
If payment was sent:
- Contact your bank or payment provider immediately to attempt to stop or recover the transaction.
- Save all related correspondence, including letters, emails, and invoices.
- Call the Coral Gables Police Department at 305-442-1600 to file a report.
City officials also emphasized that this type of scam may target individuals unfamiliar with municipal procedures, particularly those working with consultants or contractors who manage applications on their behalf.
Broader vigilance urged
Pantin said the city’s message is intended for more than just development professionals. “Even though this scam primarily affects Planning and Zoning Board applicants,” she said, “everyone should take the same precautions when they receive unsolicited requests for payment or personal information.”
Residents are encouraged to stay alert for any communication—whether by mail, email, or text—that demands payment or includes unfamiliar contact information. The city continues to coordinate with its City Attorney’s Office, Development Services Department, and Coral Gables Police Department to ensure any suspicious cases are investigated and reported.
For questions or to verify the legitimacy of any city-related correspondence, residents and applicants can contact City Hall directly through the phone numbers and email addresses listed at www.CoralGables.com.
Author: Coral Gables Gazette News Staff
Originally established in 1996 and relaunched as a digital publication in February 2025, the Coral Gables Gazette is an independent local news organization dedicated to factual, objective and accountable community journalism. Our newsroom reports on the people, policies, institutions and events shaping Coral Gables, Florida, providing residents with timely, informative coverage of the issues affecting their community. Our reporting includes City Hall, local government, municipal elections, public spending, real estate development, business, education, arts and culture, and neighborhood affairs throughout the City Beautiful. We follow City Commission decisions, examine public records and report on the businesses, organizations and individuals contributing to Coral Gables. We believe informed residents are essential to a healthy, engaged community. Stories published under the Coral Gables Gazette News Staff byline are prepared or compiled by the publication's editorial team. We strive for accuracy, fairness, transparency and clear distinctions between news reporting, opinion and advertising. Readers are encouraged to submit news tips, corrections, editorial inquiries and story suggestions through our Contact page and learn more about our standards through our Editorial Policy.
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