As People 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 costs.
Per CBS News, the Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) warned the nation that texts they’re receiving over supposed unpaid tolls are “in all probability” scams.
“Whether or not you’ve pushed by a toll just lately or not, you may’ve gotten a textual content saying you owe cash for unpaid tolls. It’s in all probability 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 should you click on the hyperlink, they may get your private information (like your driver’s license quantity) — and even steal your id.”
Maintain studying to be taught extra in regards to the rip-off messages and what to do should you obtain one.
⚠️SCAM ALERT: Has anybody else gotten this textual content quite a few occasions this week? That is my FOURTH! You’ve received 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, comparable to bank card or Social Safety numbers. Should you obtain a textual content or an electronic 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 employees received 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 nice and preserve your license, you possibly can 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. As a way to keep away from extreme late charges and potential authorized motion on statements, please pay your tolls in time. Thanks to your cooperation and want 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 cellphone quantity that reaches out to their cellphone. The FTC introduced that People 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” function upon receiving considered one of these texts
- Should you do click on the hyperlink in considered one of these rip-off messages, safe all your private data as quickly as attainable, together with financial institution accounts
- File a grievance with the FBI’s Web Crime Criticism Middle and embrace the rip-off textual content’s cellphone quantity and the web site hooked up within the textual content
