Federal officials warn of unpaid toll scam texts coast to coast
People across the country are getting scam texts demanding they cough up unpaid tolls or else. Here’s what you need to know.
Straight Arrow News
If you get a text message demanding money for unpaid tolls, just ignore it – that’s a scam.
The text messages might claim you owe money and include a link to make a payment. Don’t fall for it: The Minnesota Department of Transportation says it will not text or email anybody to ask for personal or sensitive information.
“If you receive a suspicious text or email message, delete (it) and do not respond,” the department said in a news release. “Don’t set up an account due to a text or email scam.”
The scam has been reported in multiple states, and while they are not identical everywhere, the scam text messages generally impersonate a toll service seeking payment for unpaid tolls.
The phone numbers and email addresses targeted by the scam are chosen randomly, and scammers are “targeting everyone – not just E-ZPass users,” the Minnesota DOT said.
Here’s what you can do to avoid being scammed.
- Delete any messages that appear suspicious and report them as junk.
- Do not set up a new or different E-ZPass account because of a text or email scam.
- If you click on a link or give personal information, call your bank and credit card companies to freeze your accounts. Watch out for any unusual charges.
- Report fraud activity to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center or the Federal Trade Commision.
