As Americans grapple with difficult prices, a financial scam has arose for countless drivers — false toll road text messages. In recent months, multiple outlets and social media users have reported receiving scam notifications on their phones, claiming to be toll charges.
Per CBS News, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned the nation that texts they’re receiving over supposed unpaid tolls are “probably” scams.
“Whether you’ve driven through a toll recently or not, you may’ve gotten a text saying you owe money for unpaid tolls. It’s probably a scam,” the FTC noted in its alert. “Scammers are pretending to be tolling agencies from coast to coast and sending texts demanding money. Not only is the scammer attempting to steal your money, but when you click the link, they might get your personal info (like your driver’s license number) — and even steal your identity.”
Keep reading to learn more in regards to the scam messages and what to do when you receive one.
⚠️SCAM ALERT: Has anyone else gotten this text quite a few times this week? That is my FOURTH! You’ve got to admire the persistence but I’m not falling for it. Thanks but no thanks! https://t.co/RayBAsVubL pic.twitter.com/OLsOpPeZeo
— Mycah Hatfield (@MycahABC13) February 22, 2025
What Do Real Roll Road Notifications Look Like?
E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail don’t notify drivers of unpaid tolls via text message requesting personal information, resembling bank card or Social Security numbers. In case you receive a text or an email asking for personally identifiable details, it is best to not provide that information.
What Do the Roll Road Scam Texts Look Like?
The scam texts vary in appearance, but Latest York, Massachusetts, Washington D.C., Florida, Indianapolis, Pennsylvania and other states have reported drivers receiving messages claiming that they owed toll fees. In accordance with USAToday, which reported that a few of its staff got these texts as well, one in all the messages people have received read, “Pay your FastTrak Lane tolls by February 13, 2025. To avoid a high-quality and keep your license, you’ll be able to pay at https://ezdrivema.com-xlk.vip/i/. (Please reply Y, then exit the text message and open it again to activate the link, or copy the link into your Safari browser and open it).”
One other message that some Florida residents received read, “Please pay your toll in Florida by January 21, 2025. With the intention to avoid excessive late fees and potential legal motion on statements, please pay your tolls in time. Thanks on your cooperation and need you a nice holiday. https://sunpass.com-8If5.sbs/us/,” in accordance with the outlet.
Can I Block the Toll Road Scams?
People can block any phone number that reaches out to their phone. The FTC announced that Americans should do the next in the event that they receiving these scams:
- Don’t click the link within the scam text; visit the actual toll service website to envision an account’s balance
- Use a smartphone’s “report junk” feature upon receiving one in all these texts
- In case you do click the link in one in all these scam messages, secure your entire personal information as soon as possible, including bank accounts
- File a grievance with the FBI’s Web Crime Criticism Center and include the scam text’s phone number and the web site attached within the text
