Citizens' Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County, FL

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Citizens' Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County, FL Organizing crime prevention groups in your neighborhood and working with your local police department

CCW Staff participated in the North Bay Village Police Department’s National Night Out event.  We shared some important ...
10/08/2026

CCW Staff participated in the North Bay Village Police Department’s National Night Out event. We shared some important crime prevention tips and some trinkets for kids and attendees.

CCW Staff participated in the Homestead Police Department’s National Night Out, “Boots & Badges” event.  We shared some ...
10/06/2026

CCW Staff participated in the Homestead Police Department’s National Night Out, “Boots & Badges” event. We shared some important crime prevention tips and some trinkets for kids and attendees.

CCW, along with MDSO Kendall District, participated in the Miami-Dade College Kendall Campus Safety.  We shared crime pr...
10/01/2026

CCW, along with MDSO Kendall District, participated in the Miami-Dade College Kendall Campus Safety. We shared crime prevention and personal safety information with students and staff.

09/29/2026

Fake CAPTCHA Malware Scam: One Click Could Cost You More Than You Think By Vivian Havlin

We've all seen CAPTCHA tests online. You know the ones that ask you to click a few pictures or check a box to prove you're not a robot. They're so common that most of us don't think twice before completing them.
Unfortunately, scammers know that too.
A new scam is making the rounds that looks like a normal CAPTCHA verification, but it's actually designed to trick you into installing malware on your own computer. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently warned consumers about this growing threat, and it's one everyone should know about.
Here's how it works.
You visit a website and a CAPTCHA box appears. Instead of asking you to click images, it tells you to press a few keyboard shortcuts, open the Windows Run box or your computer's Terminal, and paste in a command to "verify" you're human.
The moment you follow those instructions; you've unknowingly given the scammer access to install malicious software on your device.
That malware can quietly steal saved passwords, banking information, credit card numbers, cryptocurrency wallets, and other personal data without you realizing it.
The scary part is that nothing about the page looks unusual. It appears professional, convincing, and even uses language that makes it sound like a routine security check. That's exactly what scammers are counting on.
Here's something to remember: A legitimate CAPTCHA will never ask you to copy and paste commands into Windows Run, Command Prompt, PowerShell, Terminal, or any other system program.
If a website tells you to do that, close the page immediately.
To protect yourself, only visit trusted websites, keep your computer and antivirus software up to date, and think twice before following unexpected instructions on your screen. If something feels unusual or overly complicated just to verify, you're human, it's probably a scam.
Cybercriminals continue to come up with new ways to trick people, but awareness is still one of our best defenses. The more we know about these scams, the less likely we are to become victims.
Until next time, stay informed, stay safe, and watch out for one another. Because when we know better, we protect better.
Need help or have questions?
📞 Call our office at 305-470-1670
🌐 Visit us online at www.citizenscrimewatch.org

CCW participated in the Annual Safety Day at Miami-Dade College North Campus.  We were able to share important crime pre...
09/20/2026

CCW participated in the Annual Safety Day at Miami-Dade College North Campus. We were able to share important crime prevention information with students and staff.

Guess what Ladies!!! We were able to set up a RAD Class in Doral, September 28-30, 2026, from 6p-10p.  So if you are in ...
09/16/2026

Guess what Ladies!!! We were able to set up a RAD Class in Doral, September 28-30, 2026, from 6p-10p. So if you are in the Doral area sign up at [email protected].

Never forget the attacks on our Liberty and Freedom. Always remember the sacrifices made by those in the name of Freedom...
09/11/2026

Never forget the attacks on our Liberty and Freedom. Always remember the sacrifices made by those in the name of Freedom on this solemn day. God Bless America!!

CCW participated along with MDSO Kendall District NRU in the Smoothie with a Sheriff at Life Time Fitness at the Falls. ...
09/09/2026

CCW participated along with MDSO Kendall District NRU in the Smoothie with a Sheriff at Life Time Fitness at the Falls. We were able to connect with members and share some important crime prevention information. It was a great opportunity for the community and the police to come together.

Back by popular demand!! We had such a tremendous interest in our RAD Women’s Self Defense class that we are back again ...
09/03/2026

Back by popular demand!! We had such a tremendous interest in our RAD Women’s Self Defense class that we are back again in Pinecrest, October 20-22, 2026, from 6p-10p. Sign up soon because we had a huge waitlist from our last class!! You don’t want to miss out!! Email us at [email protected]

08/31/2026

Toll Road Text Scams: Don't Let a Fake Toll Cost You More Than a Few Dollars. By: Vivian Havlin

It starts with a simple text message.
"You have an unpaid toll balance of $3.75. Pay now to avoid late fees."
For most people, that amount seems believable. Maybe you recently drove on a toll road. Maybe you traveled out of town. It's such a small amount that paying it feels easier than questioning it. That's exactly what scammers are counting on.
These fake toll payment texts, known as "smishing" (SMS phishing), have become one of the fastest-growing scams across the country. Criminals send millions of text messages pretending to be toll agencies, hoping you'll click the link before you stop to think.
Unfortunately, one click can end up costing far more than the few dollars they claim you owe.
How the Scam Works
The message usually claims you have an unpaid toll balance and warns that you'll face late fees, penalties, or even registration issues if you don't pay immediately. The text includes a link that looks official, but it's designed to trick you.
Once you click, scammers may try to:

Steal your credit or debit card information.
Collect personal information like your name, address, driver's license number, or date of birth.
Install malware on your phone that can compromise your personal information or accounts.

Some fake websites even look nearly identical to legitimate toll agencies, making it easy to believe you're making a real payment.
Why This Scam Works
Scammers know most people won't think twice about a small charge. A $4 or $7 toll doesn't raise many red flags. Instead of questioning it, people often just want to take care of it and move on with their day. That's why these scams continue to spread nationwide. Criminals aren't looking for one big payday they're counting on thousands of people making one small mistake.
How to Protect Yourself
If you receive a text claiming, you owe money for a toll:

Don't click the link.
Don't reply to the message.
Visit the toll agency's official website by typing the address into your browser or using its official mobile app.
Log in to your account to verify whether you owe a balance.
If you don't have an account, contact the toll agency directly using a phone number from its official website.

If you've already clicked the link or entered payment information:

Contact your bank or credit card company immediately.
Monitor your accounts for unauthorized charges.
Change any passwords that may have been compromised.
Run a security scan on your phone if you download anything from the site.

Report the Scam
Don't just delete the message. Reporting scam texts helps phone carriers and law enforcement identify patterns and shut down fraudulent operations.
You can:

Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM).
Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Delete the message after reporting it.

One Final Thought
Scammers have learned that they don't always need to steal hundreds of dollars at a time. Sometimes all it takes is a text about a few dollars to catch someone off guard.
The next time you receive a message claiming you owe an unpaid toll, pause before you click. A few seconds of caution can save you from hours—or even months—of dealing with fraud and identity theft.
Until next time, stay informed, stay safe, and watch out for one another. Because when we know better, we protect better.
Need help or have questions?📞 Call our office at 305-470-1670🌐 Visit us online at www.citizenscrimewatch.org

Address

1515 NW 79th Avenue
Doral, FL
33126

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+13054701670

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