Beware of text messages about unpaid tolls, FBI and state authorities warn

(NEXSTAR) – Drivers should be on the lookout for scam text messages warning of an unpaid road toll bill, according to recent warnings from authorities.

The text messages name the local toll service, such as FasTrak in California, and have a link that takes the victim to a convincingly-duped version of the collection operator's website.

"The texts claim the recipient owes money for unpaid tolls and contain almost identical language," according to the FBI. "The 'outstanding toll amount' is similar among the complaints reported to the IC3 (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center). However, the link provided within the text is created to impersonate the state's toll service name, and phone numbers appear to change between states."

(Credit: Nexstar/Addy Bink)
(Credit: Better Business Bureau)

The FBI told Nexstar that it received more than 60,000 complaints in 2024 from people reporting suspicious messages about unpaid tolls.

The text-based style of the scam has been labeled "smishing," which combines "SMS" or "short message service" with "phishing," which usually refers to attacks made via email or websites.

"Smishing scams are successful because people tend to trust text messages more than emails, often responding quickly to them without fully considering the content, especially when the message appears to be from a trusted source like a bank or delivery company, making it easy for attackers to trick users into clicking on malicious links or sharing sensitive information," according to the FBI.

The flood of attacks has prompted warnings from police and toll authorities across the country in recent weeks. Last Wednesday, Brian Keenan, the police chief in Holyoke, Mass., reminded E-ZPass users that "city, state or federal agencies nor utility companies, police, sheriffs, etc. do not accept payments via gift cards, bitcoin, Venmo or similar online payment services."

Keenan encouraged residents to delete any such messages and share information about the scam with "older or elderly members of your family as that population is often targeted."

In California, FastTrak continues to warn customers about the fraud, adding that FasTrak "does not request payment by text with a link to a website."

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says they have received a number of complaints about the fake collection attempts, made under the name of various toll services that include the Illinois Tollway, Florida Turnpike (Sunpass), Georgia Peach Pass or EZ Drive MA.

"At first I thought it was legitimate," said one Massachusetts driver who filed a complaint with the BBB after remembering that autopay was set up and should have covered the toll cost.

What do we know about the scammers?

Roughly a year after the predatory text messages began, investigators and toll collection services are learning more about how the bad actors are operating.

John Goodwin, assistant director of communications with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in San Francisco, said the smishing campaign may not be confined to the United States.

"The domain registration for the websites that these messages instruct folks to click on, typically, are registered offshore," Goodwin said. "We've traced these to domains registered in Hong Kong, registered in Russia [and] at least one South American country."

In the San Francisco Bay Area, Goodwin says the messages often come in waves, with the messages changing every six or eight weeks, and target people indiscriminately.

"It concerns people, whether they're customers or not," Goodwin said. "Our legitimate customers are understandably upset about this, and those who are not yet FasTrak customers are confused."

The scam has even caught the attention of the global International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association (IBTTA), which reported last summer that several states actively shut down illegitimate sites as they were discovered, but admitted that combatting the texts had been challenging.

"The fraudulent messages communicate low toll values owed, combined with the sense of urgency to avoid potentially high fees and risks of vehicle registration or license suspensions," according to the IBTTA. "The combination often tricks victims into providing details of their personal information."

What happens if you tried to make a toll payment?

The websites behind the imposter texts can look extremely convincing, so those who click on the link may feel secure enough to provide personal details and payment information.

If you've fallen victim to the scam, make sure your personal and financial information is secure. The FBI recommends disputing any unfamiliar charges to your credit card account.

"If you have clicked on any of the links from these texts, bad actors could install ransomware or other programs to spy on your online activity or hold your device hostage by encrypting data and demanding payment to unscramble it," according to the FBI. "They could also gain access to personal information including passwords, credit card numbers, banking PINs, etc., to take out loans or credit cards or perform other fraudulent financial transactions using your identity."

For more information on safeguarding your identity or starting the recovery process, see the Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft website.

Avoiding text-based scams

The FBI has the following tips for avoiding smishing attacks:

Be cautious about clicking links in text messages, even if they appear to be from a trusted source.
Remember that companies generally don’t contact you to ask for your username or password.
Don’t click on anything in an unsolicited email or text message. Look up the company’s phone number on your own (don’t use the one a potential scammer is providing), and call the company to ask if the request is legitimate.
Carefully examine the email address, URL, and spelling used in any correspondence. Scammers use slight differences to trick your eye and gain your trust.
Be careful what you download. Never open an email attachment from someone you don’t know and be wary of email attachments forwarded to you.
Set up two-factor (or multi-factor) authentication on any account that allows it, and never disable it.
Be careful with what information you share online or on social media. By openly sharing things like pet names, schools you attended, family members, and your birthday, you can give a scammer all the information they need to guess your password or answer your security questions.

The FBI asks people who receive unpaid toll smishing texts to report them to the IC3 and include the phone number from where the text originated and the website listed in the text.

"This allows us to track trends and see where there are similarities and differences in what the bad actors are using or how they are contacting their victims," the FBI told Nexstar.

Topics

Australia warns airlines to beware of a Chinese navy live-fire exercise

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong says her government has warned international airlines flying between Australian airports and New Zealand to beware of Chinese warships conducting a live-fire ...
ABC News - 2d
As Tourists Swarm Erupting Mount Etna, Italian Authorities Warn Them Away

“A lot of people are trying to get closer to admire this natural phenomenon,” a local mayor warned his community. “But it is extremely dangerous!”
The New York Times - 3d
Long-term effects of Gaza war could quadruple Palestinian death toll, warn UK doctors

Surgeons who worked in Gaza fear disease, malnutrition and eradication of healthcare will reverberate for decades . British doctors who worked in Gaza during the war have issued dire predictions ...
The Guardian - 1d
Starmer warns cabinet about Blairism — while bringing in New Labour era staff

Prime minister’s note to ministers repudiates older views on globalisation and immigration
Financial Times - 2d
Britain’s new right should beware misplaced triumphalism

Hope is not built on over-reach or abandoning conservative principles
Financial Times - 1d
Daughter of aid worker beheaded by ISIS reads final texts at trial

Bethany Haines read out the last text message she would ever receive from her father, David Haines, before he was abducted and killed by ISIS over a decade ago.
CBS News - 2d
Dark side of bright nights taking toll on forgotten invertebrates

From bats to moths, species working the night shift are suffering as light pollution soars. When we think about invertebrates, most of us picture bees, butterflies, worms, crabs or perhaps even a ...
The Guardian - 2d
Pope asks for prayers in message from hospital

The pontiff is receiving hospital treatment as the Vatican warns his condition is still critical.
BBC News - 4h
Senate confirms Kash Patel to lead FBI

Politico - 2d
Changes coming to FBI under Kash Patel's leadership

Kash Patel was sworn in as the controversial new FBI director under President Trump. Scott MacFarlane breaks down the changes coming for the department.
CBS News - 1d
How Kash Patel may change the FBI

This morning marks the first full day in office for new FBI director Kash Patel. The longtime vocal Trump ally arrived at his new office Friday. Sweeping changes are expected under his leadership.
CBS News - 1d
FBI Director Kash Patel to be named ATF chief

President Donald Trump's FBI director, Kash Patel, is expected to become head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, according to a White House official and two other sources ...
NBC News - 17h
A Stytch in time: Connected Apps untangles authorization tie-ups for AI agents

Stytch Connected Apps enables AI agents and third-party apps to authenticate, access data and take action on behalf of users.
VentureBeat - 4d
Trump Tests Fed’s Independence With Order Expanding Authority Over Agencies

A directive calling for oversight over the central bank’s regulatory and supervisory responsibilities has set off alarm.
The New York Times - 2d
Macron's message to Trump: 'You can’t be weak in the face of Putin'

French President Emmanuel Macron says he intends to tell Donald Trump that it’s in the joint interest of Americans and Europeans not to “be weak” in the face of Russia’s Vladimir Putin, amid ...
ABC News - 2d
Minister sacked over WhatsApp messages faces standards probe

Andrew Gwynne is investigated over "actions causing significant damage to the reputation of the House".
BBC News - 2d
Trudeau Uses Canada’s Hockey Win Over U.S. to Send a Message to Trump

Canada beat the U.S. in a championship game with added meaning because of political tensions caused by President Trump’s taunts and economic threats.
The New York Times - 2d
Canada’s Hockey Victory Sends a Message to Trump: Hands Off

The routine friendly bet between leaders of Canada and the United States before hockey games was replaced by taunts and heightened stakes on Thursday.
The New York Times - 1d
Pope Francis shares message after a peaceful night in the hospital

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni's one-line statement early Sunday didn't mention if Francis was out of bed or eating breakfast. "The night passed quietly, the pope rested."
CBS News - 4h
Patel on cusp of confirmation to run FBI as Collins says she'll oppose

Politico - 3d
Trump's pick for FBI director confirmed in 51-49 vote

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Kash Patel's to lead the FBI under President Donald Trump.
ABC News - 2d
FBI told to transfer 1,500 personnel from headquarters: Reports

The FBI told managers that 1,500 personnel will be transferred from the headquarters near Washington headquarters to offices around the country, including around a third being placed in an Alabama ...
The Hill - 1d
Aviation industry warns travellers of soaring fares

Yahoo News - 2d
Warmer weather brings rain and wind warnings

It may be warmer but the weather will be wet and windy over the coming days.
BBC News - 2d
Wind warning issued for Northern Ireland on Sunday

After Friday’s wet and windy weather, more strong winds are coming to island of Ireland on Sunday.
BBC News - 1d
'Hello, Eric, it's Oprah.' Author Eric Puchner is latest member of Winfrey book club

Eric Puchner is a well-regarded fiction writer whose new novel, “Dream State,” tells a story about life’s unexpected and improbable plot twists
ABC News - 5d
'Stuck' in place: Author traces America's mobility crisis to a Modesto law enacted in 1885

In his insightful book about America's housing crisis, Yoni Appelbaum argues that more than a century of restrictive legislation has left so many stuck, unable to pursue opportunity.
Los Angeles Times - 4d
French authorities detained 4 people after a deadly stabbing linked to Islamic extremism

Yahoo News - 5h
French authorities detained 4 people after a deadly stabbing linked to Islamic extremism

French anti-terrorism authorities say four people are in custody after a deadly stabbing in eastern France that authorities linked to Islamic radicalism
ABC News - 5h
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sends pointed message after Canada beats USA in 4 Nations Face-Off

Trudeau was fired up after the Canadians' win on Thursday night in Boston
CBS Sports - 2d
FBI Director Kash Patel has first full day on job, plans to implement major changes

It's the first day at work for newly-confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel after his nomination barely passed the Senate Thursday. CBS News Department of Justice correspondent Scott MacFarlane has more.
CBS News - 2d
Elon Musk Threatens FBI Agents and Air Traffic Controllers With Forced Resignation if They Don't Respond to an Email

Employees throughout the federal government have until 11:59 pm ET Monday to detail five things they accomplished in the last week.
Wired - 18h
Kash Patel tells FBI staff to ignore Elon Musk request to list their achievements

Agency reportedly seeking guidance from DoJ as Musk’s demand sparks confusion across key government agencies. The new FBI director, Kash Patel , has told his agency employees to hold off on ...
The Guardian - 3h
Marian Turski, Auschwitz survivor who warned of danger of indifference, dies at 98

Marian Turski, a Holocaust survivor who became a journalist and historian in postwar Poland and was a co-founder of Warsaw’s landmark Jewish history museum, has died
ABC News - 4d
Watch: Tourists warned to stay away from Mount Etna lava

Italian authorities say people have been injured after venturing too close to the red-hot lava.
BBC News - 3d
Japan warns over threat from China’s chip material export controls

Officials and executives say gallium rules will upset supply chains for chips and vehicle batteries
Financial Times - 2d
Hargreaves Lansdown chief warns against scrapping cash Isa

Removing tax breaks on the popular saving product would be ‘dangerous’, says Dan Olley
Financial Times - 2d
Top FDA official resigns, warns firings will backfire on RFK Jr.

James Jones resigned as FDA deputy commissioner and said the Trump administration's "indiscriminate" job cuts show "disdain for the very people necessary to implement your agenda."
CBS News - 2d
Airlines warned as Chinese navy holds live-fire exercises off Australia

Australia expressed concern to China on Friday over the short notice given by the Chinese navy that it would hold a live-fire exercise in international waters between Australia and New Zealand, ...
NBC News - 2d