Have you received a text saying you owe money for unpaid tolls? If so, be careful—it could be a scam! Scammers are pretending to be tolling agencies across the country, sending fake texts to trick people into handing over their hard-earned money.
How the Scam Works
Out of the blue, you get a text claiming you have unpaid tolls that need to be paid immediately. The message might even include a dollar amount, making it look official. Then, there’s a link directing you to a webpage where you’re asked to enter your credit card or bank details. But here’s the catch—it’s a phishing scam. When you click the link and pay the toll (around $2.99), you then start getting debits from your account in the amount of $300-$400 each.
Not only are scammers after your money, but if you click the link, they could steal your personal information too—like your driver’s license number or other sensitive details. And in the worst-case scenario, they could even use your info for identity theft.
How to Avoid Falling for This Scam
Here’s how to protect yourself from these fraudulent texts:
- Don’t click on any links or reply to unexpected texts. Scammers create a sense of urgency to make you react quickly, but take a step back and verify before taking action.
- Check if the text is legitimate. Instead of trusting the text message, look up your state’s tolling agency yourself. Use their official website or call a verified number—not the one in the text.
- Report and delete the message. If you receive one of these scam texts, use your phone’s “report junk” feature or forward it to 7726 (SPAM). Once you’ve reported it, delete the text.
Stay Informed and Stay Safe
Scammers are always coming up with new tricks, but knowing what to look out for can help keep your personal and financial information safe. For more tips on spotting and avoiding text scams, visit ftc.gov/textscams.
Source: Federal Trade Commission