ITRC: Reports of Toll Road Scams Rapidly on the Rise

• The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) is receiving victim reports of toll road scams impacting people in numerous states. Some states include Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Indiana, New Jersey, Georgia, California, Texas and Illinois.
• The reports come weeks after a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) report of over 2,000 complaints regarding smishing texts representing road toll collection from at least three states.
• The express toll scams consist of text messages that claim you owe money for unpaid tolls. While the messages contain convincing language and links created to impersonate the state’s toll service name, it is a scam.
• If you receive one of these texts, ignore it. Instead, check your account using the toll service’s legitimate website or app, or contact the toll service’s phone number. Also, file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
• If you have additional questions about toll road scams or believe you were the victim of an identity crime, contact the ITRC toll-free by text or phone (888.400.5530) or live chat on the company website idtheftcenter.org.  

The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) is receiving reports from victims about new toll road scams impacting people in many states. The reports to the Center come weeks after a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) report of over 2,000 complaints regarding smishing text messages impersonating road toll collection from at least three states. Since the report, at least nine more states have issued notices of express toll scams. Some states include Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Indiana, New Jersey, Georgia, California, Texas and Illinois.

Who Are the Targets?

Anyone; Drivers

What is the Scam?

The text messages from the toll road scams claim you owe money for unpaid tolls and contain almost identical language. The links in the text messages are created to impersonate the state’s toll service name. Also, the phone numbers appear to change between states. Here is an example of one of the bogus text messages in an article by Dark Reading:

“We’ve noticed an outstanding toll amount of $12.51 on your record,” the text of one such message reads. “To avoid a late fee of $50.00, visit https://myturnpiketollservices.com to settle your balance.”

The links take users to what looks like a legitimate toll service website, asking for information to pay the outstanding toll charge. However, as part of the toll road scams, scammers steal the sensitive information, particularly credit card details. Smishing scams are not new. They continue to be used by scammers with new twists because they effectively get people to give up their credentials.

What they Want

Identity criminals hope to steal your personal information so they can use it in another attack and defraud you. The links may be malicious and contain malware that could steal data or damage your device.

How to Avoid Toll Road Scams

• Ignore text messages that claim you owe money for unpaid tolls. Do not click on any links or download any attachments.
• If you receive one of these messages, check your account using the toll service’s legitimate website, app or customer service phone number.
• Once you confirm you’ve received a toll road scam, file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov. Include the phone number where the text originated and the website listed within the text message.
• If you fall victim to one of the express toll scams, secure your personal information and financial accounts. Change your login credentials, freeze your credit and check your financial account for unusual activity. If you spot any unusual activity, contact the financial institution.

Contact the ITRC

If you have additional questions about toll road scams or believe you were the victim of an identity crime, contact us. You can speak with an ITRC expert advisor toll-free by text or phone (888.400.5530) or live chat on the company website. Just visit www.idtheftcenter.org to get started.