Financial fraud: false SMS about unpaid fares
23 february 2025 в 05:37
As Americans struggle with high prices, many drivers have fallen victim to a financial scam — fake text messages about toll road fees. In recent months, several sources and social media users have reported receiving fraudulent notifications on their phones, claiming that they are payments for toll road fees.
According to CBS News, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned the nation that the text messages they receive about alleged unpaid toll fees are «likely» fraudulent.
«Whether you recently drove through a toll road or not, you may have received a text message stating that you owe money for unpaid toll fees. Most likely, this is a scam», - the FTC noted in their warning. «Scammers pretend to be toll collection organizations from coast to coast and send text messages demanding money. The scammer not only tries to steal your money, but if you click on the link, they can obtain your personal information (such as your driver’s license number) — and even steal your identity».
Continue reading to learn more about fraudulent messages and what to do if you receive one.
E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail do not notify drivers of unpaid toll fees through text messages requesting personal information such as credit card numbers or social security numbers. If you receive a text message or email requesting personal information, do not provide this information.
Fraudulent text messages may have different appearances, but states like New York, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., Florida, Indianapolis, Pennsylvania, and others have reported that drivers are receiving messages stating that they owe toll fees. According to USAToday, which also reported that some of its employees received these texts, one of the messages people received stated: «Pay your FastTrak Lane tolls by February 13, 2025. To avoid a fine and keep your license, you can 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)».
Another message received by some Florida residents stated: «Please pay your toll fee in Florida by January 21, 2025. To avoid excessive late fees and possible legal actions, please pay your fees on time. Thank you for your cooperation and have a pleasant trip. https://sunpass.com-8If5.sbs/us/».
People can block any phone number that contacts their phone. The FTC has advised Americans to do the following if they receive these fraudulent messages:
According to CBS News, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned the nation that the text messages they receive about alleged unpaid toll fees are «likely» fraudulent.
«Whether you recently drove through a toll road or not, you may have received a text message stating that you owe money for unpaid toll fees. Most likely, this is a scam», - the FTC noted in their warning. «Scammers pretend to be toll collection organizations from coast to coast and send text messages demanding money. The scammer not only tries to steal your money, but if you click on the link, they can obtain your personal information (such as your driver’s license number) — and even steal your identity».
Continue reading to learn more about fraudulent messages and what to do if you receive one.
E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail do not notify drivers of unpaid toll fees through text messages requesting personal information such as credit card numbers or social security numbers. If you receive a text message or email requesting personal information, do not provide this information.
Fraudulent text messages may have different appearances, but states like New York, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., Florida, Indianapolis, Pennsylvania, and others have reported that drivers are receiving messages stating that they owe toll fees. According to USAToday, which also reported that some of its employees received these texts, one of the messages people received stated: «Pay your FastTrak Lane tolls by February 13, 2025. To avoid a fine and keep your license, you can 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)».
Another message received by some Florida residents stated: «Please pay your toll fee in Florida by January 21, 2025. To avoid excessive late fees and possible legal actions, please pay your fees on time. Thank you for your cooperation and have a pleasant trip. https://sunpass.com-8If5.sbs/us/».
People can block any phone number that contacts their phone. The FTC has advised Americans to do the following if they receive these fraudulent messages:
© Smirnova Olga
