Toll road text scams: How to know it isn't legit
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) – The Ohio Turnpike and the Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland are warning people about a text scam that has made a recent comeback.
The texts request payment information for unpaid tolls through websites that are not legitimate.
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The scam is happening nationwide and has recently returned to Northeast Ohio.
A turnpike spokesperson told Fox 8 they've received a high volume of calls recently from people who are receiving these texts.
In a statement emailed to Fox 8, they said bills for unpaid tolls will never come via text message:
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'If you receive a random text message claiming you have a toll payment due, please be aware that it is an ongoing, nationwide texting scam.
The Ohio Turnpike does NOT send text messages requesting payment for unpaid tolls.
The Ohio Turnpike will send up to three invoices to a customer by U.S. Mail to collect unpaid tolls.
All suspicious text messages should be deleted without clicking any links.
Anyone who clicked a fraudulent link and provided personal information should immediately contact their bank or credit card provider to secure their financial accounts.
Victims of texting scams can file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. Be sure to include the phone number from where the text originated and the website listed within the text.The Ohio Turnpike's official websites are www.ezpassoh.com and www.ohioturnpike.org.
The Ohio Turnpike's customer service number is 440.971.2222.'
Other tips from the BBB include:
-Blocking the number and deleting the message
-Do not engage with the scammer if you believe you received a fake text message
-Do not click on links or download files unexpectedly texted to you
-If you receive a message impersonating a road toll collection service, you can report it through the BBB Scam Tracker to help warn others.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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