Beware: New Smishing Scams Target Drivers with Fake Toll Fees

RALEIGH, N.C. — Text message scams, known as smishing, have surged recently, targeting drivers with fake notifications about unpaid tolls. Scammers are exploiting current events like congestion pricing to instill urgency and panic among users. As many as 19.2 billion spam texts were sent across the U.S. in February alone, marking a significant increase, according to the spam-blocking firm Robokiller.

The alarming trend includes messages claiming recipients owe toll charges from states where they have not driven. These messages often prompt users to click on malicious links.

“The rise in smishing cases demonstrates how scammers adapt to capitalize on current events and exploit public confusion,” said Teresa Murray, director of the consumer watchdog program at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). “New York City’s congestion pricing led to an uptick in scam texts about toll payments, targeting drivers across multiple states.”

According to a report from Truecaller, 86% of Americans reported receiving spam texts, underscoring the pervasive nature of these scams. Many of these fraudulent messages employ alarming language, suggesting immediate financial consequences if not addressed.

One such text might read: “Final Reminder: You owe an outstanding toll. Pay by March 31 to avoid additional fees or legal action.” These deceitful messages often purport to be from legitimate services like E-Z Pass or FasTrak.

“Scammers know how to play on fears, creating a false sense of urgency to trick people into providing sensitive information,” said Steve Grobman, Chief Technology Officer at McAfee. “The toll text scam is particularly notorious right now.”

In response to the growing epidemic, authorities and cybersecurity experts have issued advice to the public. Users are encouraged to scrutinize any unsolicited messages requesting personal or payment details. “Never click on links provided in unsolicited messages. They often lead to malware infections,” Grobman warned.

To further protect against smishing, individuals can register their numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry and report fraudulent messages to the Federal Trade Commission. Murray added that while older individuals often fall prey to scams, younger adults between ages 18 and 44 are now more frequently targeted, highlighting a shift in scam tactics.

For victims, experts recommend swiftly contacting banks to freeze cards if payment details have been shared in response to a scam. Additionally, recipients of suspicious texts are advised to report them to the authorities by forwarding messages to 7726, known as SPAM.

Scammers often use phone numbers that appear credible one moment and are quickly blocked, escalating the urgency in their tactics. Both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local enforcement agencies are actively working to dismantle these operations.

As spring break approaches, families are cautioned to remain vigilant against such scams, especially during travel when they may be more susceptible to unexpected toll notifications. Experts suggest verifying any messages directly with the toll agency rather than through provided links.