As Individuals grapple with tough costs, a monetary rip-off has arose for numerous drivers — false toll highway textual content messages. In current months, a number of retailers and social media customers have reported receiving rip-off notifications on their telephones, claiming to be toll prices.
Per CBS Information, the Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) warned the nation that texts they’re receiving over supposed unpaid tolls are “most likely” scams.
“Whether or not you’ve pushed by way of a toll just lately or not, you would possibly’ve gotten a textual content saying you owe cash for unpaid tolls. It’s most likely a rip-off,” the FTC famous in its alert. “Scammers are pretending to be tolling companies from coast to coast and sending texts demanding cash. Not solely is the scammer attempting to steal your cash, however in the event you click on the hyperlink, they might get your private information (like your driver’s license quantity) — and even steal your identification.”
Hold studying to be taught extra concerning the rip-off messages and what to do in the event you obtain one.
⚠️SCAM ALERT: Has anybody else gotten this textual content quite a few instances this week? That is my FOURTH! You’ve bought to admire the persistence however I’m not falling for it. Thanks however no thanks! https://t.co/RayBAsVubL pic.twitter.com/OLsOpPeZeo
— Mycah Hatfield (@MycahABC13) February 22, 2025
What Do Actual Roll Highway Notifications Look Like?
E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail don’t notify drivers of unpaid tolls through textual content message requesting private data, similar to bank card or Social Safety numbers. For those who obtain a textual content or an e mail asking for personally identifiable particulars, you shouldn’t present that data.
What Do the Roll Highway Rip-off Texts Look Like?
The rip-off texts fluctuate in look, however New York, Massachusetts, Washington D.C., Florida, Indianapolis, Pennsylvania and different states have reported drivers receiving messages claiming that they owed toll charges. In line with USAToday, which reported that a few of its workers bought these texts as properly, one of many messages folks have acquired learn, “Pay your FastTrak Lane tolls by February 13, 2025. To keep away from a advantageous and hold your license, you’ll be able to pay at https://ezdrivema.com-xlk.vip/i/. (Please reply Y, then exit the textual content message and open it once more to activate the hyperlink, or copy the hyperlink into your Safari browser and open it).”
One other message that some Florida residents acquired learn, “Please pay your toll in Florida by January 21, 2025. To be able to keep away from extreme late charges and potential authorized motion on statements, please pay your tolls in time. Thanks to your cooperation and need you a nice vacation. https://sunpass.com-8If5.sbs/us/,” based on the outlet.
Can I Block the Toll Highway Scams?
Individuals can block any telephone quantity that reaches out to their telephone. The FTC introduced that Individuals ought to do the next in the event that they receiving these scams:
- Don’t click on the hyperlink within the rip-off textual content; go to the precise toll service web site to test an account’s steadiness
- Use a smartphone’s “report junk” characteristic upon receiving considered one of these texts
- For those who do click on the hyperlink in considered one of these rip-off messages, safe your whole private data as quickly as potential, together with financial institution accounts
- File a grievance with the FBI’s Web Crime Grievance Heart and embody the rip-off textual content’s telephone quantity and the web site connected within the textual content
