Overdue Toll Smishing Scam

Technology can be used to improve our lives, but it can also be used to make life more difficult. Technology does this for scammers and us. With tech, scams are easier to do, while making our lives more difficult trying to discern what is real versus what is a fake. This is certainly true of a the overdue toll smishing scam. Let’s get into it.

What is Smishing?

Before we define smishing, let’s first define phishing.

Phishing is a crime where an email is sent to encourage the victim to click on a link and reveal personal information. Often the criminals are looking for ways to get money from victims.

For instance, someone may send you an email saying that your Amazon account has been suspended and you need to login and perform some task. If you were to follow their instructions, you will likely be entering your login information into a fraudulent site that will store what you typed. The criminals can then use that login information to gain access to your accounts and use the information there to buy things. The criminals likely don’t know if you actually have an Amazon account and are just “fishing” for information.

Smishing is essentially the texting version of phishing. It’s name comes from text messaging protocols were called Short Message Service or SMS.

What is the overdue toll smishing scam?

Texts are being sent that direct the reader to pay an unpaid toll. Sometimes the scam will reference an actual toll authority and sometimes it will not. They motivate the viewer by saying you can avoid a fine or disruption of your driver’s license, which may make you want to engage and click the link. DO NOT CLICK THE LINK.

Several municipalities have noticed the scam since and have released notices on various government websites.

Virginia – Virginia DMV Warns Customers of Toll Charge Text Scam

Michigan – AG Nessel Warns Consumers of Unpaid Toll Road Smishing Scam

Utah – Scam Alert: FastTrak Lane and Utah Toll Services

What should I do?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recommendations for what you can do.

To spot and avoid text scams about a fake toll:

Slow down. Don’t rush to click on links or respond to the text. Scammers want you to react quickly when they send you an unexpected text message, but it’s best to stop and check it out.

Check with the tolling agency. If you’re worried the text is legit, check with the state’s tolling agency. But use a phone number or website you know is real — not the info from the text.

Report unwanted text messages. Use your phone’s “report junk” option to report these unwanted texts to your messaging app or forward them to 7726 (SPAM).

Don’t engage. Delete the message. Unwanted messages often lead to scams. Once you’ve checked it out and reported it, delete the text message. And don’t engage.

You can also report the text, originating phone number, and the website listed in the text message to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).