Federal Trade Commission Warns Of Unpaid Tolls Text Scam

You might have been briefly alarmed not too long ago by receiving a textual content message saying you could have an unpaid toll charge, and that should you don’t deal with the invoice promptly you might obtain “extreme late charges” — and who needs that?

However, fortunately, the Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) is warning mobile phone customers {that a} textual content message like that is doubtless a rip-off.

Whereas unpaid toll fee text scams have been around for some time, more and more people on social media lately have been reporting that they’ve been hit with a mysterious message requesting cash to settle an impressive toll charge. The textual content may learn one thing like this: “Your automobile has an unpaid toll invoice. To keep away from extreme late charges in your invoice, please settle it promptly. Thanks on your cooperation!”

However the FTC published an article on its web site final month cautioning that unhealthy actors have been sending texts demanding cash by “pretending to be tolling businesses from coast to coast.” The textual content, which normally features a hyperlink and a request for a comparatively small charge, is greater than doubtless a phishing rip-off. The hyperlinks within the texts usually invite recipients to enter their financial institution, bank card or driver’s license data, the company warns.

And the minimal charge quantity offered within the messages is intentional. Amy Nofziger, the director of sufferer help for the AARP Fraud Watch Community, previously explained to HuffPost {that a} bigger greenback quantity, maybe 1000’s of {dollars}, is extra clearly a rip-off, whereas a nominal charge could catch individuals off-guard.

Officers throughout a number of states have been warning individuals about this rip-off. Lawyer Normal of Virginia Jason Miyares, whose own office recently faced a cyberattack, warned Virginians of the unpaid toll charge textual content rip-off in a post on X, previously Twitter, on Thursday.

The New York Police Division’s nineteenth Precinct equally released a statement on X earlier this week warning New Yorkers to not click on any hyperlinks in texts asking for unpaid toll cash.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a statement final 12 months saying that its Web Crime Grievance Middle had acquired over 2,000 complaints from individuals who acquired the unpaid toll textual content rip-off.

The FBI recommends that should you obtain a message like this, you need to double examine whether or not you really have an impressive toll stability by visiting the toll service’s reputable web site and checking your account standing there.

Whereas some states could inform individuals about excellent charges through textual content, Nofziger previously told HuffPost that almost all of notices are despatched by mail.

The FBI additionally recommends that you simply contact the reputable toll service by their customer support quantity and file a criticism with the FBI at www.ic3.gov.

The company warns that you shouldn’t click on on any hyperlinks within the texts, and that you need to delete the messages altogether. In case you did click on a hyperlink, and should you offered any private data, you need to monitor your monetary accounts and dispute any unfamiliar fees.

You too can place fraud alert notices — a free service — on any of the three credit score bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Receiving textual content messages about excellent balances could be nerve-wracking, however as an excellent follow, it’s vital to not react, or click on, immediately. At all times examine the reputable web site of the service that’s purportedly requesting cash. Keep knowledgeable and speak to your family and friends members in regards to the mysterious texts you’re receiving — you might assist another person keep away from getting scammed.