You might’ve heard of those scam texts about tolls. Heck, at this point, you’ve likely gotten a text pretending to be from E-ZPass or some such entity.
We covered these scams at Mashable back in January, and they’re back, if they ever left at all. The main points remain the same: Do not click any links and do not engage with potential scammers. If you get a text claiming to be from E-ZPass, FasTrak, or some other toll service, be very skeptical, as this has only become a more pervasive scam.
We’ve got the latest details to keep you up to date.
What are the E-ZPass and FasTrak scam texts, and how do you spot them?
The E-ZPass toll scam has evolved and shifted over time, but the broad strokes remain the same: a text from a random number claiming you have unpaid tolls or fees, and that you have to remedy that fact or face some sort of consequence. That should immediately ring alarm bells — scammers often want you to feel a sense of urgency in order to keep you from thinking through your actions. Usually, this text leads you to a link, which could be used to gather your personal information.
Here’s an example of a recent version posted to Reddit that received a spirited response in the comments.
Look around online and you’ll see lots of folks still posting about the scam texts, some four months after they began surfacing.
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Once you’re aware of the same, it should be pretty easy to spot. First: Check the sender. At first, these messages often came from a +63 country code, which is for the Philippines. Many of the posts online now indicate the scammers have moved on to random email addresses. Regardless, E-ZPass or other toll services are not sending emails from these sorts of phone numbers or addresses.
Second: Look at the link. DO. NOT. CLICK. THE. LINK. But often the link redirects to an obviously sketchy site.
Third: Know that this is not how E-ZPass, FasTrak, or other toll services operate. They will mail you any bills they owe, and they certainly will not threaten to suspend your driver’s license.
What to do if you get an E-ZPass or FasTrak scam text?
Again, let us repeat, if you get a scam text: DO. NOT. CLICK. THE. LINK.
From there, most phones have a delete and report junk option for messages, which is what you should do. If you’re concerned that there was a modicum of truth to the text, the Federal Trade Commission recommends contacting your local tolling agency to check if it’s legit.
But for the most part, tread carefully with any text from an unknown number. If you have to question if you’re being scammed, it’s likely a scam.
Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email [email protected] with the subject line “Safety Net” or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.
