Toll Fee Scams: How scammers use fake messages to steal your data.

Toll fee text message scams are an increasingly common type of smishing technique designed to steal sensitive personal information and credit card numbers from unsuspecting drivers who might have recently used a popular or heavily traveled toll road. These scams typically involve text messages sent to the mobile phone of unsuspecting victims, warning them about unpaid tolls and threatening legal or financial penalties if the fees are not settled immediately. The ultimate goal of the scam is to lure victims into clicking the malicious link in the text message and where they enter their personal and payment information. The target is out the phony fee and possibly much more, depending on how much data they unknowingly give to the scammers.

Scammers impersonate legitimate toll agencies by sending text messages or emails that appear to come from government agencies or toll companies. The message often includes:

1. Urgency and fear tactics, including claims that the recipient has unpaid toll fees and faces impending penalties such as fines or legal action if the toll is not paid immediately. The fines listed are often much greater than the fee, creating a sense of urgency in the target to act in their own financial self-interest.
2. A payment link, leading to a fake website that closely mimics the real toll payment platform, including forged logos and links featuring Punycode (where the letters/characters in the official website address are replaced with similar looking Unicode or Cyrillic letters/characters).
3. Requests for sensitive data collection into a fraudulent website, with instructions for victims to enter their credit card details, personal information, and sometimes even social security numbers. Scammers then use this data for identity theft, fraudulent purchases, or sell it on the dark web.

1. Unsolicited messages: Tolling agencies do not typically send text messages about unpaid fees without prior notification via official mail or registered accounts. If you receive a message unexpectedly, it’s a warning sign.
2. Generic language: Scammers often use vague language like “Dear Customer” or provide limited details about the toll in question. Real toll companies usually include specific details like account numbers or toll locations.
3. Unfamiliar URLs: Be cautious of any link included in a message. Scammers often use URLs that look similar but have slight variations from the legitimate toll company website.
4. Pressure tactics: Messages that urge you to take immediate action under threat of a fine or legal action are designed to make you act impulsively without questioning the legitimacy of the claim.

1. Verify before clicking: If you receive a suspicious toll fee message, do not click on any links. Instead, log in to your official toll agency account or call the agency directly using contact details from their official website to verify the claim.
2. Use secure payment methods: Always ensure that the website where you are entering payment information is secure (look for “https” and a padlock symbol in the address bar).
3. Be wary of urgency: Do not be pressured into providing payment details immediately. Scammers rely on creating a sense of urgency to manipulate their victims.
4. Report suspicious activity: If you receive a scam message, the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) recommends taking the following steps:

• File a complaint with the IC3, ic3.gov, be sure to include:
  • The phone number from where the text originated.
  • The website listed within the text
• Check your account using the toll service’s legitimate website.
• Contact the toll service’s customer service phone number.
• Delete any smishing texts received.
• If you clicked any link or provided your information, take efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts. Dispute any unfamiliar charges.

If you suspect that you have provided personal information or payment details to a scammer, take immediate steps:

1. Contact your credit union, bank, or credit card company: Inform them of the potential breach so they can monitor for fraudulent charges or issue a new card.
2. Report the scam: File a report with your country’s fraud reporting agency (e.g., FTC in the U.S., Action Fraud in the U.K.).
3. Monitor your accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.
4. Change your passwords: If you entered any login credentials on a fake site, update your passwords immediately, especially if you use the same password across multiple accounts.

Toll fee scams are a sneaky form of smishing designed to trick drivers into giving away sensitive information under the guise of unpaid toll fees. Awareness is key to protecting yourself from these scams. By staying alert to the red flags, verifying suspicious messages, and reporting fraudulent activities, you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim.