As People grapple with tough costs, a monetary rip-off has arose for numerous drivers — false toll street textual content messages. In current months, a number of shops and social media customers have reported receiving rip-off notifications on their telephones, claiming to be toll costs.
Per CBS Information, 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 way of a toll not too long ago 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 businesses from coast to coast and sending texts demanding cash. Not solely is the scammer attempting to steal your cash, however for those who click on the hyperlink, they may get your private data (like your driver’s license quantity) — and even steal your identification.”
Hold studying to be taught extra concerning the rip-off messages and what to do for those who obtain one.
⚠️SCAM ALERT: Has anybody else gotten this textual content quite a few instances this week? That is my FOURTH! You’ve bought 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 Street Notifications Look Like?
E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail don’t notify drivers of unpaid tolls by way of textual content message requesting private info, corresponding to bank card or Social Safety numbers. Should you obtain a textual content or an e mail asking for personally identifiable particulars, you shouldn’t present that info.
What Do the Roll Street 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 keeping with USAToday, which reported that a few of its workers bought these texts as properly, one of many messages individuals have acquired learn, “Pay your FastTrak Lane tolls by February 13, 2025. To keep away from a advantageous and preserve your license, you’ll be able to 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. With a view to keep away from extreme late charges and potential authorized motion on statements, please pay your tolls in time. Thanks in your cooperation and need you a nice vacation. https://sunpass.com-8If5.sbs/us/,” in response to the outlet.
Can I Block the Toll Street Scams?
Individuals can block any telephone quantity that reaches out to their telephone. 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 verify an account’s steadiness
- Use a smartphone’s “report junk” function upon receiving one in all these texts
- Should you do click on the hyperlink in one in all these rip-off messages, safe your entire private info as quickly as attainable, together with financial institution accounts
- File a criticism with the FBI’s Web Crime Grievance Middle and embrace the rip-off textual content’s telephone quantity and the web site connected within the textual content
