They say nothing in life is certain except death, taxes... and now, scam texts about unpaid tolls. If your phone has been lighting up with messages demanding payment for a toll you don’t remember passing, you’re not alone. The FBI and cybersecurity experts are sounding the alarm on a massive new wave of smishing scams that are spreading like wildfire across the U.S.
The latest scam targets both iPhone and Android users with deceptive SMS messages designed to steal personal and financial information. The fraudsters behind it have registered over 10,000 malicious domains to make their fake payment pages look more convincing.
How It Works
Scammers send out fraudulent text messages claiming that the recipient has an unpaid toll and must pay immediately to avoid penalties. These messages often:
- Include a payment link leading to a fake website.
- Use state-specific branding to appear legitimate.
- Bypass security filters by instructing users to manually enter the link into their web browser.
The scam doesn’t stop at toll payments—recent reports indicate that cybercriminals are expanding their attacks to impersonate major delivery services like FedEx and USPS, adding another layer of deception.
Who’s Targeted?
- Drivers & Commuters: Anyone who regularly drives on toll roads is a prime target.
- City Residents: Heavily impacted cities include Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Orlando, among others.
- Older Adults & Less Tech-Savvy Individuals: Scammers exploit those who may not be familiar with digital payment security.
Real-Life Example
In Louisiana, even the state’s Attorney General, Liz Murrill, received one of these scam texts. She quickly warned residents, saying, “I received this text as well. It is a scam. If you ever receive a text that looks suspicious, be sure to never click on it.”
A news station in Detroit reported that their Facebook post about the scam received over 4,300 comments from people who had been targeted—highlighting just how widespread this fraud has become.
Why You Should Care
These scams can lead to:
- Identity Theft: Clicking the link and entering details can expose your personal and financial information.
- Financial Losses: Victims who try to pay fake tolls could see multiple unauthorized charges.
- More Scams: Some victims reported that when their card was "declined," they were prompted to enter another—giving scammers access to multiple accounts.
How to Protect Yourself
- Delete Any Suspicious Texts: Don’t click links or reply.
- Verify with Official Websites: Check your toll account directly by visiting the official website (not through links in messages).
- Look for Red Flags: Scam messages often include hyphens, slight misspellings, or incorrect formatting (e.g., placing the dollar sign after the amount).
- Report the Scam: Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov).
- Secure Your Information: If you clicked a scam link, monitor your accounts for unauthorized transactions and change passwords immediately.
Quick Tips & Updates
Quick Tip #1: Did you know? Scammers often use urgency to pressure victims into quick decisions. Take a moment to verify before reacting.
Quick Tip #2: Pro Tip: Never trust payment requests via text. If you owe toll fees, log in through the official toll service website or call their customer service directly.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Keyword Definitions
- Smishing: A type of phishing attack carried out through SMS text messages.
- TLD (Top-Level Domain): The last segment of a domain name, such as .com, .org, or country-specific domains like .xin.
- Phishing: A cyberattack where scammers trick individuals into revealing personal or financial information.
- IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center): The FBI’s official platform for reporting internet-related crimes.
- Identity Theft: Fraudulent use of someone’s personal information, often to commit financial crimes.
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