FBI urges public to delete WA Good to Go text scam messages. Here's why
The Brief
The FBI and WSDOT warn of a new text scam targeting U.S. and Canadian residents.
Scammers send fake texts about overdue tolls, linking to fraudulent websites.
Recipients are advised not to click the links and to verify bills via official channels.
SEATTLE - The FBI and the Washington State Department of Transportation are warning residents about a new Good to Go text message scam targeting people in the U.S. and parts of Canada.
Keep reading to learn more about the WSDOT Good to Go text scam and what to do if you receive a message.
WSDOT announced the fake text scam on social media Wednesday morning.
"We're getting reports of fake texts warning of overdue bills and asking for payments or threatening legal action," WSDOT said. "These aren't from Good To Go! and link to a fake website."
WSDOT is urging users not to click on the link to the fake website. Customers are also encouraged to visit WSDOT's website, MyGoodToGo.com, to verify if they have a bill due.
According to the FBI, these SMS texts, also known as "smishing" texts, are targeting iPhone and Android users across the United States.
The FBI is warning anyone who receives these texts to delete them immediately.
As reported by FOX 5 DC, cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 reports these latest threats involve the creation of over 10,000 domains with a consistent naming pattern, which are being used in potential smishing schemes. These scams impersonate toll services and package delivery companies in multiple U.S. states, including Virginia, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Texas, as well as the Canadian province of Ontario.
The scam aims to trick people into revealing sensitive personal and financial data, such as credit or debit card numbers and bank account information.
The new scheme also targets iPhone users by exploiting a feature that blocks links in iMessages from unknown contacts. To bypass this security, the scam texts instruct recipients to reply with a "Y" and reopen the message, which allows iMessage to display the malicious links, according to Palo Alto Networks.
According to McAfee, an antivirus, identity and privacy protection company, the U.S. cities facing the biggest influx of toll road scams include the following:
Seattle, Washington
Dallas, Texas
Atlanta, Georgia
Los Angeles, California
Chicago, Illinois
Orlando, Florida
Miami, Florida
San Antonio, Texas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Houston, Texas
Denver, Colorado
San Diego, California
Phoenix, Arizona
Seattle, Washington
Indianapolis, Indiana
Boardman, Ohio
The Source
Information for this article came from the Washington State Department of Transportation, the FBI, McAfee and FOX 5 DC.
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