Thousands Tricked by 'Unpaid Toll' Texts: Here's What You Need to Know

You’re at home making dinner when your phone buzzes. It’s a text: “NOTICE: You have unpaid tolls. Please pay $12.73 immediately to avoid late fees.” It looks official. It even references E-ZPass^® or your local tollway. But here’s the catch - you may not owe anything. And if you click that link, you could be handing over your personal data to international scammers. The scam has exploded across the country, prompting warnings from the FBI, FTC, and state governments.

60,000 Complaints and a Growing Threat

What began in early 2024 as a small phishing campaign has ballooned into a nationwide scam. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 60,000 reports of fake toll scams last year alone. Known as “smishing” - a blend of “SMS” and “phishing” - the tactic involves sending fake text messages that trick users into sharing personal info or clicking malicious links.

“The scamsters kind of mutate every few weeks with different messages,” said John Goodwin, assistant director of communications at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to CNBC. “The messaging has become more sophisticated over time. The messaging has become more aggressive over time.”

Why It Works - And Who’s Behind It

Scammers take advantage of cashless toll systems and people’s growing reliance on mobile payments. They often mimic the name of a local toll provider using your phone’s area code to make the text feel more believable.

Behind the scenes, many of these texts are sent by large criminal networks using automated systems to blast thousands of phones at once. Most messages urge users to click a link and submit payment details, driver’s license numbers, or even Social Security numbers. Clicking the link can also expose phones to malware.

“Public safety is my top priority, which is why I’m urging New Yorkers to take caution against senseless scammers sending fake E-ZPass text messages in an attempt to collect money for fake unpaid tolls,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement, according to Car and Driver.

Hard to Catch, Easy to Fall For

Cybercrime expert J. Michael Skiba says the actual number of victims is likely far higher than reported due to people simply being too embarrassed to report, or believing the loss small enough not to bother. Skiba explained to CNBC, “I personally think it is astronomical. I think it would be so alarming to know what the true cost is.”

Making matters worse, most scam phone numbers are routed through international servers, making prosecution difficult and rare.

What You Should Do Right Now

If you’ve received one of these messages, don’t click the link. Real toll agencies do not text non-account holders and won’t demand payment via text. You can verify any legitimate message by logging into your toll account directly, not through a link in a message.

If you think you’ve already been tricked, visit IdentityTheft.gov for step-by-step help. You can also report scam texts at ReportFraud.FTC.gov.

Stay skeptical, check your statements, and always verify before clicking. Scammers are counting on you to act fast - don’t give them the satisfaction.

References: FBI Warns Against Falling For Scam Text Messages About Toll Roads | Why so many people are getting scam texts saying they have unpaid tolls | Important Customer Advisory Regarding Nationwide Text Phishing Scam | Got a text about unpaid tolls? It’s probably a scam