Beware of scammers impersonating road toll collection services
If you've been on a road trip, you’re probably familiar with modern tolling systems that allow you to pay your toll fees online. If you anticipate paying for any outstanding tolls, watch out for this text message phishing scam. Fraudsters are impersonating toll collection services, trying to trick consumers into paying for fake outstanding tolls. They may even use AI technology to create more convincing fake websites or personalized messages to include your personal information. It's important to note that a state's Department of Transportation will never provide or ask for personal information by email or text.
How the scam works You receive a text message from what appears to be a state tollway collection service, like the Illinois Tollway, the Florida Turnpike (Sunpass), Georgia Peach Pass, NC Quick Pass, or EZ Drive MA. The text message says you owe a road toll fee of $11.69 or around $12, but you need to pay it immediately to avoid a late fee of $50. Other variations are in Massachusetts for $6.99, Georgia Peach Pass for $3.75, the Ohio Turnpike for $7.60 or even $97.50, with a $150 penalty, and Texas Toll for $7.79.
The message includes a link to settle your balance, which appears to be from the state’s toll service, making the message look legitimate. However, if you click the link, you may notice they are asking for sensitive personal information, like your Social Security number. If you proceed and provide your personal and payment information on the website, scammers could now have access to that information, and you may have lost some money.
BBB Scam Tracker has received over 800 reports of text messages that appear to be from toll-collection services. Out of those reports, Florida Turnpike's Sunpass was the most spoofed.
One consumer recently shared receiving this message, 'NC Quick Pass Reminder: You have an outstanding toll. Your toll account balance is outstanding. If you fail to pay by March 15, 2025. You will be penalized or subject to legal action. Now Payment: https:// ncquickpass.eoltqvio. vip/pay (Please reply Y, then exit the SMS and open it again to activate the link, or copy the link to your Safari browser and open it) Please settle your toll immediately after reading this message to avoid penalties for delaying the payment. Thank you for your cooperation.'
A person in Washington reported, 'I received a text telling me I had toll bridge fees past due and if I did not pay they would contact DMV and turn me in. I have never went across a toll bridge in Washington or neither has any of my vehicles.'
Another consumer in Massachusetts recently shared, 'I received a text from EZDrive MA Alert - 63 964 942 8797 with the message: 'Your vehicle has an unpaid toll bill. To avoid excessive late fees on your bill, please settle it promptly. Thank you for your cooperation! Total amount: $6.99 Now Payment: https://ezdrivemap. xin/vip Please reply Y, then exit the SMS and open it again to activate the link, or copy the link to your Safari browser and open it)'. I did not pay the bill because I know I have an auto pay on my EZDriveMA account. However, at first I thought it was legitimate.'
How to avoid text message phishing scams Verify your outstanding toll balance with the legitimate agency. Instead of clicking on the link in the text message, go to your web browser, find the toll service’s actual website, and log in to your account to verify if you have any outstanding toll payments. Another way to verify this is by calling the toll service’s customer service line. Do not call the phone number that texted you or any phone numbers included in the text message. Instead, find the toll service’s legitimate phone number on their website. State road toll collection agencies will never request payment via text message.
Know the warning signs of a fake text. If you receive an unusual text message, especially originating from an out of country area code, there are several things to look for to help you identify if it’s fake. Read BBB’s tips on spotting the red flags of fake text messages.
Don’t click on links or download files that are unexpectedly texted to you. It may be hard to identify if a link sent in a text message is safe. Scammers can disguise a URL to appear legitimate when it isn’t.
Don't give out your personal information. Phishing scams often ask you to provide personal information like your birthdate, Social Security number, and more. Never give out this information unless you are 100% certain you're talking or working with a legitimate person or agency you can trust.
