A nationwide scam is targeting Americans with fraudulent text messages demanding payment for unpaid tolls, federal and state officials warn.
“Whether you’ve driven through a toll recently or not, you might have received a text saying you owe money for unpaid tolls. It’s probably a scam,” the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stated in a consumer alert on Tuesday. “Scammers are pretending to be tolling agencies from coast to coast and sending texts demanding money.”
The scheme involves text messages falsely claiming the recipient owes a toll, sometimes specifying an amount. These messages include a link directing victims to enter their banking or credit card information.
“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,” the FTC warned.
Officials Issue Warnings Across Multiple States
The federal warning follows a similar alert issued Monday by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, whose office has received reports of scam SMS messages attempting to collect toll payments. These fraudulent texts often originate from international numbers and prompt recipients to reply “Y” to receive a link to an unofficial website.
E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail do not send text messages or emails requesting personal information, including credit card numbers, birthdates, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive details, Hochul’s statement noted.
In addition to New York, officials in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania have recently issued similar warnings.
Growing Toll Scam Expands Nationwide
Scams involving fake toll debts are not new. In April 2024, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported receiving more than 2,000 complaints across multiple states regarding toll-related “smishing” scams. Smishing—a combination of “SMS” (short message service) and “phishing”—is a type of fraud in which scammers impersonate legitimate entities to steal personal information.
“IC3 complaint information indicates the scam may be moving from state to state,” the FBI said in a public service announcement. Fraudulent messages often contain identical language, impersonate state toll service names, and use changing phone numbers based on region.
State agencies across the country are warning residents to be cautious. In Georgia, the State Road and Tollway Authority’s Peach Pass website has posted a banner warning customers about a “growing wave of SMS texting attacks on toll road users.”
Minnesota’s Department of Transportation has also urged residents to delete scam messages, stating, “Fraud activity continues throughout the nation, with scam artists sending fake messages claiming you have an invoice, violation, or a bill from using Minnesota E-ZPass or another E-ZPass facility.”
In Texas, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority issued a mid-January alert advising against clicking suspicious links or responding to fraudulent messages. The agency emphasized that it only contacts customers via three official numbers: 38047, 27974, and 512-575-3160.
How to Avoid Smishing Scams
Officials recommend the following precautions to protect against fraudulent toll messages:
- Do not reply to text messages from unknown numbers.
- Avoid clicking links in texts from unknown senders.
- Delete and report suspicious messages using your phone’s “report junk” option.
- Block the sender’s email address or phone number.
- If unsure about a message’s legitimacy, do not engage with the sender.
Clicking fraudulent links can allow scammers to install ransomware, steal personal information, or gain access to banking details, which could be used to open fraudulent accounts or conduct unauthorized financial transactions.
Authorities urge anyone who receives a suspicious toll-related message to delete it immediately and report the scam to their state transportation agency or the FTC.