Is the Unpaid Toll Text a Scam? Cybersecurity Experts Weigh In

Receiving a text about an unpaid toll can be alarming. With so many people using toll roads daily, a message demanding payment might seem legitimate at first glance. However, cybersecurity experts warn that many of these texts are scams designed to steal your personal and financial information. Understanding how to recognize these fraudulent texts is essential to protecting yourself from potential cyber threats.

Toll Scam Text: What You Need to Know

A new wave of text message scams is making the rounds, targeting unsuspecting drivers with fraudulent claims of unpaid tolls. These messages, which appear to be from legitimate tolling agencies, demand immediate payment and often include a link to a fake website designed to steal personal and financial information.

Authorities, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the FBI, have issued warnings about this growing unpaid toll scam. Reports indicate that residents across the U.S. have received such texts, with scammers impersonating well-known toll collection services like EZ Pass, TxTag, SunPass, and FastTrak.

Do Toll Roads Send Text Messages for Unpaid Tolls?

Most toll agencies do not send text messages for unpaid tolls. Instead, they communicate through mailed invoices, official websites, or verified customer service numbers. Some states may offer text alerts for account notifications, but they do not demand immediate payment or request sensitive personal information. Agencies like TxTag and E-ZPass have confirmed that they do not collect toll payments via text, reinforcing that any such message is likely fraudulent.

How to Identify a Scam Toll Text

Scam toll texts often share common characteristics, including:

• Urgent language: Scammers try to create panic by warning of excessive late fees, legal action, or license suspension.
• Suspicious links: URLs may look similar to official tolling agencies but contain extra characters or odd formatting (e.g., https://sunpass.com-8If5.sbs/us/).
• Misspellings and grammar errors: Many fraudulent messages contain mistakes that official toll agencies wouldn’t make.
• Requests for personal information: Legitimate toll agencies will never ask for sensitive details like Social Security numbers, birthdates, or banking credentials via text.
• Messages from international or unfamiliar numbers: The sender’s number may be from an out-of-country area code.

What Should You Do If You Receive an Unpaid Toll Text?

If you receive an unsolicited turnpike scam text or unpaid toll text message, follow these cybersecurity best practices:

1. Do Not Click on Any Links – These links may lead to phishing websites designed to steal your personal or financial information.
2. Verify with the Official Tolling Agency – Instead of engaging with the text, visit the official website of the tolling service or call their verified customer support.
3. Report the Scam:
   • Forward the message to 7726 (SPAM) to report it to your mobile carrier.
   • File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.
   • Notify the FTC at www.ftc.gov to help track and prevent similar scams.
4. Delete the Message – Do not respond to the text; simply remove it from your phone.
5. Monitor Your Accounts – If you accidentally clicked the link and provided information, check your financial statements for unauthorized transactions and set up fraud alerts on your credit reports with Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion.

Why Are Unpaid Toll Scams Increasing?

Text message scams, also known as “smishing” (SMS phishing), have become more common as cybercriminals find new ways to exploit digital communication. According to the FBI, its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 2,000 complaints last year about toll-related smishing scams alone.

Scammers use these tactics because:

• Text messages have high open rates, making them an effective way to trick recipients.
• Many drivers use toll roads, making the scam appear legitimate.
• People tend to react quickly to urgent financial requests, especially if they fear late fees or penalties.

How to Stay Safe from Smishing Scams

To protect yourself from smishing and other text-based frauds, cybersecurity experts recommend:

• Using multi-factor authentication (MFA) on financial accounts to add an extra layer of security.
• Not reusing passwords across multiple accounts to prevent credential theft.
• Keeping software and security patches up to date on your phone to guard against malware.
• Educating family and friends about the risks of text-based scams to help prevent further victims.

Final Thoughts

If you receive a text about unpaid tolls, remain skeptical and avoid clicking on any links. Always verify the claim with the official toll service by using their official website or customer service number. Reporting the fraudulent unpaid toll text helps law enforcement track and shut down toll scammers, protecting others from falling victim.

Cybercriminals continuously adapt their tactics, but staying informed and vigilant is the best defense against these deceptive schemes. If in doubt, trust your instincts—when it comes to unsolicited messages demanding money, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Compass IT Compliance helps businesses strengthen their cybersecurity posture by providing end-user security awareness training to educate employees on identifying and avoiding scams. Through simulated phishing campaigns, customized security training, and ongoing assessments, Compass ensures that employees are equipped to recognize fraudulent messages and take appropriate action. By fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness, businesses can reduce their risk of falling victim to scams and protect sensitive data from cyber threats. Contact us today to learn more.