As People grapple with troublesome costs, a monetary rip-off has arose for numerous drivers — false toll street textual content messages. In latest months, a number of retailers and social media customers have reported receiving rip-off notifications on their telephones, claiming to be toll fees.
Per CBS Information, the Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) warned the nation that texts they’re receiving over supposed unpaid tolls are “most likely” scams.
“Whether or not you’ve pushed via a toll not too long ago or not, you may’ve gotten a textual content saying you owe cash for unpaid tolls. It’s most likely 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 making an attempt to steal your cash, however if you happen to click on the hyperlink, they may get your private data (like your driver’s license quantity) — and even steal your identification.”
Maintain studying to be taught extra in regards to the rip-off messages and what to do if you happen to obtain one.
⚠️SCAM ALERT: Has anybody else gotten this textual content quite a few instances this week? That is my FOURTH! You’ve obtained to admire the persistence however I’m not falling for it. Thanks however no thanks! 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. If you happen to 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 response to USAToday, which reported that a few of its employees obtained these texts as effectively, one of many messages folks have acquired learn, “Pay your FastTrak Lane tolls by February 13, 2025. To keep away from a high quality and hold your license, you possibly can 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 the intention to keep away from extreme late charges and potential authorized motion on statements, please pay your tolls in time. Thanks to your cooperation and want you a pleasing vacation. in response to the outlet.
Can I Block the Toll Street Scams?
Folks can block any cellphone quantity that reaches out to their cellphone. 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 test an account’s steadiness
- Use a smartphone’s “report junk” function upon receiving one in all these texts
- If you happen to do click on the hyperlink in one in all these rip-off messages, safe your entire private info as quickly as potential, together with financial institution accounts
- File a grievance with the FBI’s Web Crime Criticism Heart and embrace the rip-off textual content’s cellphone quantity and the web site connected within the textual content
