E-ZPass users are being cautioned about a text messaging scam that poses a threat to tolling agencies nationwide.
The E-ZPass program includes toll agencies and firms in 19 states and boasts a total of 53 million E-ZPass devices.
In a recent statement, the E-ZPass Group disclosed that the scam involves enticing customers to divulge personal and financial details on a counterfeit website. The fraudulent text, which claims it’s from “E-ZPass Toll Services,” includes a link for settling an alleged overdue toll to avoid penalties.
E-ZPass emphasized the deceptive nature of these messages, clearly stating that any toll account details provided are false and that this is a scam that users should not interact with. Recipients of these texts are urged not to click embedded links and then to delete the messages promptly.
“Scam attacks through emails and text messaging are on the rise in our country, and protecting the safety of E-ZPass customer information is of paramount importance to us,” said PJ Wilkins, E-ZPass Group executive director. “We will continue to work with our partnering states to alert our customers of any criminal activity that places them at risk, and we encourage E-ZPass customers to be vigilant in ensuring that their personal and financial information is not compromised by falling prey to these fraudulent schemes.”
Those who have already clicked on the link and submitted information are advised to notify their financial institution and inform E-ZPass of any inaccuracies in their account details.
The FBI has previously alerted the public to a surge in such fraudulent texts targeting toll road users, receiving over 2,000 complaints related to scam texts impersonating toll collection services.
Victims can report incidents to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center via ic3.gov.
Source: Land Line
