3-05-2025 7:38pm

Text About Unpaid Tolls Is Probably A Scam

Beth Callahan Editor

WARREN COUNTY, OH -- Today both my husband and I, along with a friend of ours, received a text about unpaid tolls through E-ZPay.

Amy, our friend, told me to "Google it" for it is a scam hitting our area. So, I did, and this is what I found on the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice Website....

By Andrew RayoConsumer Education Specialist January 17, 2025

"Scammers are pretending to be tolling agencies from coast to coast and sending texts demanding money. Learn how the scam works so you can avoid it.

You get a text out of the blue that says you have unpaid tolls and need to pay immediately. The scammy text might show a dollar amount for how much you supposedly owe and include a link that takes you to a page to enter your bank or credit card info — but it’s a phishing scam. Not only is the scammer trying to steal your money, but if you click the link, they could get your personal info (like your driver’s license number) — and even steal your identity.

To avoid a text scam like this:

Don’t click on any links in, or respond to, unexpected texts. Scammers want you to react quickly, but it’s best to stop and check it out.
Check to see if the text is legit. Reach out to the state’s tolling agency using a phone number or website you know is real — not the info from the text.
Report and delete unwanted text messages. Use your phone’s “report junk” option to report unwanted texts to your messaging app or forward them to 7726 (SPAM). Once you’ve checked it out and reported it, delete the text.

Learn more about spotting and avoiding text scams at ftc.gov/textscams."

Also back on April 26, 2024, E-ZPass issued a warning to customers on smashing scams...

"The E-ZPass Group is issuing an alert to all E-ZPass customers about a text messaging scam
targeted at customers of tolling agencies across the United States. The scam aims to deceive
customers into entering their personal data and financial information to a fake website.

Customers receiving text messages claiming to be sent by “E-ZPass Toll Services” that directs them to click a link to pay an outstanding toll balance to avoid a late fee should be aware that this message is fraudulent. The toll account information provided in these texts is neither valid nor accurate. E-ZPass warns customers to delete the texts immediately and do not click on any links embedded in the text messages. "

Customers who have clicked the link and completed the form should immediately contact their financial institution and notify E-ZPass of any erroneous information posted to their accounts.