Recent reports indicate a rise in smishing scams targeting toll road agencies across the United States. In an alarming trend, residents in various states have begun receiving deceptive text messages purporting to be from official toll services, demanding urgent payments for unpaid tolls. These messages typically mimic authentic notices, creating a sense of urgency that entices recipients to visit fraudulent websites. According to Lisa Shearer-Salim, communication and marketing manager for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA), “OTA is working with a third-party vendor to collect delinquent toll balances via a text message campaign.” This initiative aims to ensure that genuine messages can be easily distinguished from fraudulent attempts.
States Affected by the Scam
The Kansas Turnpike Authority is among those affected, with director Rachel Bell highlighting that local residents are being targeted with fake messages from “Kansas Toll Services” demanding settlement for unpaid dues. “The Kansas Turnpike does not send text messages for toll payment,” Bell emphasized. Echoing this sentiment, over 2,000 complaints regarding such scams have been recorded by the FBI across multiple states, prompting authorities to issue public alerts. The messages often include links to spoofed websites where users are coerced into making unnecessary payments.
Example of a Scam Message
A typical scam message reads:
“(State Toll Service Name): We’ve noticed an outstanding toll amount of $12.51 on your record. To avoid a late fee of $50.00, visit https://myturnpiketollservices.com to settle your balance.”
What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Message
If you encounter a suspicious text about toll payments, it’s crucial to take the following steps:
- Verify your account through the official toll service website.
- Contact the toll operator’s customer service for assistance.
- Delete any dubious messages immediately.
- Secure your accounts and monitor them for any unauthorized activity if you’ve engaged with a fraudulent link.
Additionally, the FBI encourages victims to report these incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, noting the source phone number and any suspected fraudulent web addresses.
Awareness and Precautionary Measures
Following the FBI’s alert, the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) notified toll operators in six states, including Texas and Florida, about similar smishing threats. In New Jersey, for instance, a fraudulent message read:
“NJ Turnpike toll services: We’ve noticed an outstanding toll amount of $13.34 on your record. To avoid a late fee of $50.00, visit https://njtollservices.com to settle your balance.”
Additionally, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has cautioned individuals about fraudulent texts regarding tolls and listed websites to watch for, such as:
- sunpass-service.com
- sunpass-help.com
- and several others.
“Scammers craft these messages with links designed to steal consumers’ personal and financial information,” Nessel stated.
Ongoing Efforts Against Scamming Activities
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has launched initiatives to shut down numerous fraudulent websites masquerading as official toll collection platforms. North Carolina’s Attorney General Josh Stein has similarly alerted residents about deceitful robo-texts impersonating toll road services. Toll operators remain vigilant, with the Pennsylvania Turnpike also warning about texts falsely attributed to “Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Services.”
Source: Transport Topics
