BBB Alert: Look Out For Toll Road Collection Scams!

If you've received a text message stating you have an unpaid toll balance, you'll want to think twice about clicking on any link provided to pay it.  Chances are, it's probably a scam.

In a new Scam Alert, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning that scammers are impersonating road toll collection services in a text message scam designed to trick consumers into paying for fake outstanding tolls.  Reports to the BBB Scam Tracker are coming in from various states including California, Texas, and Ohio.  (You don't have to look hard to find them, just search the term "Toll Road" on the BBB Scam Tracker.)

You could become a victim of this scam regardless of whether you've taken a certain toll road lately or not.

How the scam works

The BBB describes the scam like this:

You receive a text message from what appears to be a state tollway collection service, like the Illinois Tollway or the Florida Turnpike (Sunpass). It says you owe a road toll fee of $11.69 or around $12, but you need to pay it immediately to avoid a late fee of $50. Other variations are the Ohio Turnpike for $7.60 or even $97.50, with a $150 penalty, and Texas Toll for $7.79. 

You'll get a link with the messages to settle your balance and while it looks like it's from the state’s toll service,  it's likely not.  If you click the link, you may notice they are asking for sensitive personal information, like your Social Security number.  This should set off red flags.  If you proceed and provide your personal and payment information on the website, scammers could now have access to that information and you may have lost some money.   

The text messages appear to be from toll-collection services. The BBB says one consumer recently shared, “I received a text message that stated I owed funds from using a tollway. It was not specific and since I do not use a tollway I knew it was a fraud. I deleted the message right away and blocked the number, but I believe it had included a web link.” Multiple reports will come in one day for the same amounts, indicating the scammers are changing states and dollar amounts to appear random.

Another consumer shared, “I was sent a text message that I owe the Florida Turnpike fee of $12.51 or face a late fee of $50. I nor my husband have been anywhere near the Florida Turnpike.”

Tips on How To Avoid Text Message Phishing Scams

The BBB shares these tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of text message phishing scams.

• Verify your outstanding toll balance with the legitimate agency. Instead of clicking on the link in the text message, go to your web browser, find the toll service’s actual website, and log in to your account to verify if you have any outstanding toll payments. Another way to verify this is by calling the toll service’s customer service line. Do not call the phone number that texted you or any phone numbers included in the text message. Instead, find the toll service’s legitimate phone number on their website.

• Know the warning signs of a fake text. If you receive an unusual text message, there are several things to look for to help you identify if it’s fake. Read BBB’s tips on spotting the red flags of fake text messages.
  
  
• Don’t click on links or download files that are unexpectedly texted to you. It may be hard to identify if a link sent in a text message is safe. Scammers can disguise a URL to appear legitimate when it isn’t.
  
  
• Don't give out your personal information. Phishing scams often ask you to provide personal information like your birthdate, Social Security number, and more. Never give out this information unless you are 100% certain you're talking or working with a legitimate person or agency you can trust.
  
  
• Block the number and delete the message. Do not engage with the scammer if you think you received a fake text message. Instead, block the phone number and delete the text message. Refusing to engage and blocking the phone number can help prevent scammers from contacting you again.
  
  
• If you receive a text message impersonating a road toll collection service, report it. You can file a report with BBB Scam Tracker to help warn others about this new scam, and you can search for other reports of the scam in your area. In addition, file a report with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.

For more information, visit BBB.org.

Photo:  panuwat phimpha/Shutterstock.com.