How the Toll Scam Works
Scammers are pretending to be tolling agencies from coast to coast and sending texts demanding money. The text are being sent to random individuals, aiming to deceive them to share their personal financial information to settle outstanding toll amounts. The scammer sends a text that says there are unpaid tolls that need to be paid immediately. The text might show a dollar amount for how much is supposedly owed and include a link that will take the individual to a page to enter their bank or credit card information — but it’s a smishing scam. Not only is the scammer trying to steal money, but if you click the link, they could get your personal information and even steal your identity.
How to Avoid this Scenario
The main tip to avoid becoming a victim in this scam is to VERIFY every single request before taking action.
- DO NOT click on any links in, or respond to, unexpected texts. Scammers want you to react quickly, but it’s best to stop and check it out.
- Check to see if the text is legit. Reach out to the state’s tolling agency using a phone number or website you know is real — not the info from the text.
- Report and delete unwanted text messages. Use your phone’s “report junk” option to report unwanted texts to your messaging app or forward them to 7726 (SPAM).
Once you have reported it, delete the text.
Red Flags
Watch out for red flags within messages your receive from unknown senders.
- The text will have misspellings or grammatical errors. Legitimate organizations rarely send messages with typos.
- The text you receive from the alleged toll company uses generic wording such as, “I am with your local toll company”.
- The text uses words like “urgent” stating the situation is time sensitive.
Remember
These scammers are very thorough. They create fake phone numbers to send these texts from in attempts to seem legitimate. It is uncommon for a toll agency to send text messages for fees. Toll agencies will send letters in the mail in regards to the amount due on any tolls. Always use caution and verify with the toll agency by logging into your account or calling a trusted phone number. If you call a fake phone number, it may even be possible for a voice you recognize to be faked by using artificial intelligence.
If you are a victim
If you think your information has been compromised, contact your local Diamond Bank branch as soon as possible to report the incident. A complaint can be filed with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.