If you’ve ever received a text message claiming you have an unpaid toll bill, you might want to think twice before clicking any links.
The FBI is sounding the alarm on a growing scam where cybercriminals send fraudulent messages to steal personal and financial information.
Security experts believe Chinese cybercriminals could be behind the surge in these scam texts.
The FBI’s Warning and the Growing Threat
The FBI first issued a warning about these phishing attempts—also known as “smishing” since they come through text messages—back in April.
At the time, they had already received over 2,000 complaints, with reports suggesting the scam was spreading from state to state.
Since then, the problem has only grown, prompting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to remind Americans in January to stay vigilant.
The FTC advises people to avoid clicking on any links or responding to these texts.
“Scammers want you to react quickly, but it’s best to stop and check it out,” the agency cautioned.
Scam Messages Spreading Across the U.S.
The scam isn’t limited to one region—it’s been reported in multiple states, including Massachusetts, California, the Carolinas, Illinois, Colorado, and Florida.
Even local governments are stepping in to warn residents about the fake unpaid toll messages.
In Great Falls, Montana, officials recently issued a public alert after multiple residents reported receiving these fraudulent texts. “This is a SCAM and is not coming from the City of Great Falls.
Please do not click the link in the message,” the city warned on social media.
Similarly, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation reminded citizens that their toll service, EZDriveMA, never requests payments via text.
“All links associated with EZDriveMA will include www.EZDriveMA.com,” officials clarified.
Other states, such as Oklahoma, have also issued warnings.
Lisa Shearer-Salim, the communications manager for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, advised residents to look for red flags in scam texts, such as incorrect names or suspicious URLs.
“That’s a dead giveaway,” she said, urging people to report such messages as junk or spam.
Social Media Users Call Out the Scam
As the scam spreads, more people are taking to social media to share their experiences.
Some have posted screenshots of oddly worded messages, including texts that use handshake emojis between payment demands.
Others immediately recognized the fraud because they don’t even live in areas with toll roads.
One person joked online, “This is a hilarious scam text because there are literally no toll roads anywhere near where I live.”
Another laughed at the attempt, saying, “I just got this from a fake email. I’m laughing cuz I don’t drive.”
According to Hertz, at least 18 states—including Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Wisconsin, and Tennessee—don’t have toll roads at all.
That hasn’t stopped scammers from trying their luck, though.
What You Should Do If You Get a Suspicious Text
If you receive one of these messages, don’t panic.
The FBI advises checking your toll service account directly through their official website or contacting customer service rather than clicking any links in the text.
Cybersecurity expert Chris Krebs believes these scam messages may be coming from China.
He referenced research by Ford Merrill, a specialist at SecAlliance, who noted that phishing attacks spoofing U.S. toll road operators skyrocketed after the New Year.
Merrill pointed out that at least one Chinese cybercriminal group has been selling phishing kits designed to mimic toll payment pages in various states.
These phishing kits aim to gather enough information from victims to link their payment cards to mobile wallets.
Once that happens, hackers can use the stolen card details to make purchases in stores, shop online, or launder money through shell companies.
Stay Alert and Stay Safe
As cybercriminals continue to evolve their tactics, staying informed is your best defense.
If you receive an unexpected text demanding payment, take a moment to verify its legitimacy.
And most importantly, never click on suspicious links—because once you do, your personal information could be in the hands of scammers.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn