NC Quick Pass scams can steal credit card, social security numbers, FBI warns
More "smishing" scams surrounding North Carolina's toll payment program, NC Quick Pass, are apparently circulating throughout the state.
Google searches for queries like "NC Quick Pass scams" skyrocketed as of the morning of Tuesday, March 11. A message is also currently active on the NC Quick Pass website reminding the public that the organization never requests payment over text.
In the past, smishing scams pretending to be associated with the NC Turnpike Authority and NC Quick Pass have included fake numbers, fraudulent websites, "owed" amounts and more. Some of these scams request information on social security numbers, as well as credit card numbers and other vital private information.
Here's what to know about smishing scams, the real NC Quick Pass and more.
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Scams where a text message claims you have "unpaid tolls" are not a new concept. In fact, the Citizen Times reported on similar scams twice in 2024, with texts that directed potential victims toward a fraudulent website and named specific amounts "owed" by recipients.
A text received by an NC number on March 11, 2025, containing a fraudulent website, read as follows:
"The Toll Roads Notice of Toll Evasion: You have an unpaid toll bill on your account. To avoid late fees, pay within 12 hours or the late fees will be increased and reported to the DMV.
https://ncquickpass.scgsuihp.vip/pay
(Please reply Y, then exit the text message and open it again to activate the link, or copy the link to your Safari browser and open it)
The Toll Roads team wishes you a great day!"
According to the NC Turnpike Authority, NC Quick Pass will never request payment through a text message. If you receive a text claiming you have an outstanding toll payment due to NC Quick Pass, it is a scam.
While you may receive a text from NC Quick Pass, the organization's only number used to send texts is 696277. Again, they will never request payment through a text message.
All NC toll roads are equipped with all-electronic tolling, meaning no toll booths or requirements for drivers to slow down in order to pay tolls. Through NC Quick Pass, drivers can pay tolls with a prepaid account or by invoice.
The NC Quick Pass website states that the organization only sends texts from 696277 and never requests payments through text.
All links associated with NC Quick Pass will include ncquickpass.com or secure.ncquickpass.com.
The real link for paying your NC Quick Pass bill can be found at secure.ncquickpass.com/#/Pay. Links included in scam texts often include fraudulent websites designed to look "official," which allow scammers to steal credit card information and other valuable details from victims.
The NC Department of Transportation and FBI suggest the following measures if you receive a scam text claiming unpaid tolls. First, they suggest filing a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov, including:
The phone number from where the text originated.
The website listed within the text.
Then, the agencies suggest:
Checking your account using the toll service's legitimate website.
Contacting the toll service's customer service phone number.
Deleting any smishing texts received.
If you clicked any link or provided your information, taking efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts.
Disputing any unfamiliar charges.
The FBI defines smishing as "a social engineering attack using fake text messages to trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information, or sending money to cybercriminals."
The agency also explained that the odd name combines "SMS" - an abbreviation for "short messaging service" - with "phishing," the name for general scam attacks that use the internet, email or websites.
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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: NC Quick Pass scams: What we know about fraudulent "smishing" texts
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