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Toll Scam Texts Surge Nationwide, Targeting Drivers With Fake Payment Demands

Authorities warn drivers about fraudulent text messages impersonating toll agencies to steal personal and financial information.

A picture taken on December 23, 2020, in Savigne-l'Eveque, western France, shows a slowdown on the A11 motorway, some ten kilometers north of Le Mans, at the intersection between the A28 and the A81 motorways, as the traffic is dense on the Christmas eve.
Scammers are at it again, sending texts to Bay Area residents about fake Fastrak fees that need to be paid.
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Overview

  • Scammers are sending fake text messages claiming unpaid toll fees to trick recipients into sharing personal and financial details.
  • The fraudulent texts often include links to websites designed to mimic legitimate toll agencies, demanding small payments to appear credible.
  • The FBI and FTC have received thousands of complaints about these scams, which have been reported across multiple states, including California, Texas, and New York.
  • Officials advise drivers to verify toll balances through official toll agency websites and not to click on links or respond to suspicious texts.
  • Victims of the scam are encouraged to monitor financial accounts, dispute unauthorized charges, and report incidents to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.