News stations across America are warning people to be on the lookout for toll road scams. Read on to learn more!
What are they?
In toll road scams, people receive text messages from scammers pretending to be from an electronic toll collection system – stating that unpaid tolls are owed. These messages may appear to come from legitimate toll agencies, but they are NOT legit. They are scams. Should you be the receiver of a text or email stating that you owe unpaid tolls and need to pay them, report and delete it immediately. Never engage with the sender or click on any links as it’s a scam.
How do we know it’s a scam?
Legitimate toll agencies do not send text notifications or emails for the purpose of collecting unpaid tolls. Rather, they mail outstanding notices or report what’s due through their legitimate app. Therefore, it is safe to assume that random texts saying you owe outstanding tolls are scams.
Phishing scams
Toll road scams are phishing scams that trick people into giving out personal information like bank account numbers or credit card info. In these scams, cyber actors use impersonation and trick victims by lying about their identity. Smishing, a type of phishing scam that comes in the form of text messages purporting to be from a reputable company or agency, is a typical way in which toll road scams occur. For example, scammers may falsely pretend to be from E-ZPass, FasTrak, SunPass, or another state tolling authority. Phishing/smishing scams are dangerous because they put personal data and finances at risk. In toll road scams, links may take people to fake payment sites. Or they may put malware on computers. For these reasons, do NOT click on links sent to you.
Secondary ways to spot toll road scams
The most obvious sign of a toll road scam is in its delivery, for example, coming in the form of a text message. To recap, we know that it’s a scam because toll companies do not send past-due notices in this format. But there are also secondary tell-tale signs of a scam. This includes:
- A sense of urgency, accompanied by payment demands. Scammers frequently provide a deadline by which to pay. Further, they state that if the debt is not paid by a specified date or remains outstanding, consequences will ensue. Scam notices may read “Pay Now” or “within x days” followed by a list of bad things that can happen if you don’t pay. This sense of urgency points to a scam. No payment demands are made by legitimate toll services.
- A consequence/threat. Folks are told that if they do not pay by a certain date, they risk additional fines, penalties, legal complications, referral to collections, suspension or revocation of vehicle registration, loss of one’s driver’s license, or reporting it to immigration authorities or the IRS. A typical past-due notice from a legitimate agency that comes in the mail will not threaten consequences.
- A scam website/phone number link. Scammers provide links to lure potential victims. Do not click on links as they will likely lead victims directly to fake sites set up by the scammer, primarily designed to steal information and even accept payment. Similarly, calling phone numbers provided will likely put victims in direct touch with scammers.
- Strange locations. Scammers may say a person owes unpaid toll money for driving on the NJ Turnpike, for example. If the person receiving the message lives in California, and they never were in NJ, it’s a blatant sign of a scam. And, if you haven’t been traveling at all, it’s another obvious sign of a scam.
- Use of general titles. Scammers may use fake titles, such as claiming to be from the “Toll Enforcement Authority.” This sounds official but it’s a scam as it does not exist.
- Misspellings. While most toll scams seem to be well-worded, sometimes grammar mistakes or misspellings may be present to indicate it’s a scam.
Actions to take
- If you receive a suspicious text out of the blue from an unknown source, do not engage with the sender. Report and delete the text and block the phone number. Questionable emails should never be opened. This action is not impolite, rather it is necessary to keep safe in a society where scammers are ever prevalent.
- If you believe you owe a toll, check your app (not a link given to you) to see if there is a balance due. Or, if you question your toll status, head to your state’s tolling agency using their official phone number or website that you’ve independently verified as accurate. Never call numbers provided to you in texts or emails as they may take you directly to scammers.
Toll road scams are widespread
Toll road scams are happening from coast to coast in America. If you fall for a scam, your best line of defense is to report it immediately (see below). Not only might this help you regain lost funds, but it can stop the scammer from inflicting harm on others. If you believe your passwords or banking information are compromised, contact your banking institution to see what actions are necessary to protect your accounts and to prevent unauthorized transactions. This may include actions like altering/changing accounts, creating new passwords, and monitoring for suspicious activity. As an anti-fraud measure, one may consider placing a credit freeze with the three credit bureaus to protect one’s credit history.
Reporting toll road scams
Bottom line – text messages about toll balances are scams!
If you believe you are receiving fraudulent communications, file a complaint at www.ic3.gov (The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center). You may also contact BBB Scam Tracker to report scams/suspected scams.
Disclosure: This article is purely informational and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice.