Long are the days of manned toll booths where you can just cough up loose change to the toll booth worker. The majority of U.S. tolls now utilize an electronic system that reads your license plate and sends you a bill in the mail, prompting you to pay online.
Unfortunately, anything electronic comes with the risk of scammers. Unpaid toll scams have been on the rise lately. Here is what you need to watch out for to avoid this new type of toll troll.
Whether you’ve taken any road trips recently or not, you might receive a text saying you owe money for unpaid tolls. It’s likely a scam – especially if you haven’t driven through a toll lately. From coast to coast, scammers are impersonating tolling agencies via text message. Many people who do not frequently use tolls might be unaware of how the tolling system works and will fall for these scams.
The Scam
This scam involves unsolicited text messages about unpaid toll fees. It may list an amount due and often includes a link to make a payment. This is how they get you – that link leads to a fraudulent website. These scam sites ask you for your credit card or bank account information. Although, it isn’t just your money they’re after. If you click the link, scammers could also capture personal details like your driver’s license number — putting you at risk of identity theft as well.
How to Avoid It
- Don’t click on links in unsolicited communications. Even if the text looks legitimate, avoid clicking the link or replying. Scammers count on you acting fast — instead, pause and investigate.
- Verify claims independently. If you think the message might be real, contact the tolling agency directly using their official website or a verified phone number — not the information in the text.
- Report and delete suspicious messages. Use your phone’s “report junk” option or forward the message to 7726 (SPAM). After reporting it, delete the message.
Stay alert, and don’t let scammers take you for a ride. Stay tuned for more Fraud Fridays from your friends here at Guthrie County State Bank to stay up to date on the latest scams and prevent them from happening to you.