Summer road trip season is here, but so are the scammers. If you’ve received a text message claiming you owe toll fees, DO NOT CLICK THAT LINK! Cybercriminals are out in full force, using fake toll payment notifications to steal your money, credit card details, and personal information.
🔗 The full breakdown of this scam is available here: Toll Road Scam Alert
Let’s dig into how this scam works, who’s being targeted, and what you need to do to stay safe.
🚦 How the Toll Road Scam Works
1️⃣ You receive a text 📩
- The message claims you have an outstanding toll balance and need to pay immediately.
- It often looks legit, mentioning real toll agencies like E-ZPass, SunPass, or local state toll authorities.
- The text might use urgent language like:
“Final Notice: Your unpaid toll fee must be paid today to avoid penalties. Click here to pay.”
2️⃣ The link takes you to a fake payment site 🎭
- The website is designed to look real, using logos, fonts, and colors that mimic actual toll agencies.
- It asks you to enter sensitive info like:
✅ Credit card details
✅ Driver’s license number
✅ Personal info (address, phone number, etc.)
3️⃣ Scammers steal your info & money 💸
- Once you enter your data, BOOM – they got you.
- Your credit card can be charged for fraudulent purchases.
- Your identity can be used for further scams or sold on the dark web.
🚗 Who’s Being Targeted?
🔍 Frequent Travelers: People who drive long distances for work or road trips.
🔍 E-ZPass & SunPass Users: Scammers often target drivers who actually use toll services.
🔍 Rideshare & Delivery Drivers: Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and truckers are prime targets since they cross toll roads often.
Scammers time these attacks during peak travel seasons, like summer vacation and holiday weekends.
🛑 How to Stay Safe from the Toll Scam
✅ 1. NEVER click on links in unsolicited toll texts.
- Legitimate toll agencies do not send texts asking for payments.
- Always verify payments through your official toll account (E-ZPass, SunPass, etc.).
✅ 2. Check the sender’s number.
- Toll agencies use official numbers, NOT random ones.
- If the text comes from a random number or email, it’s a scam.
✅ 3. Visit official toll websites manually.
- If you need to pay a toll, go to the agency’s site directly (e.g., www.e-zpassny.com or www.sunpass.com).
✅ 4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your bank accounts.
- This prevents hackers from accessing your financial accounts, even if they get your info.
✅ 5. Report & Block Scam Messages.
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) to report them.
- Block the number to prevent future scams.
🚨 Real Victim Stories – It Can Happen to Anyone!
📌 Case #1: The Florida SunPass Scam
A Florida woman received a text from “SunPass” claiming she owed $8.50 in toll fees. She clicked the link, entered her credit card info, and within minutes, her account was drained of $2,000.
📌 Case #2: The E-ZPass Phishing Attack
A New York driver got an E-ZPass text about a $15 toll balance. He entered his details, but the scammers stole his identity and applied for credit cards in his name.
💡 TGot’s Final Thoughts:
Scammers know when to strike, and summer road trip season is their prime time. Don’t let them ruin your vacation or steal your hard-earned money. Stay vigilant, educate your family and friends, and never click on random toll payment links.
🚙💨 Share this blog with your road trip crew – let’s keep our wallets safe and enjoy the summer stress-free!
#TollScam #RoadTripAlert #Cybersecurity #ProfBatesWarnings