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Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
Have you been the victim of a text message scam claiming you owe money for unpaid tolls? Tell us your story.
A growing number of Americans are being targeted by scammers who send text messages seeking money for unpaid toll road fees. "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," a text message received last week by this reporter stated. But federal and state officials are warning people not to fall for it. "Whether you've driven through a toll recently or not, you might've gotten a text saying you owe money for unpaid tolls. It's probably a scam," the Federal Trade Commission stated in a consumer alert posted last month. "Scammers are pretending to be tolling agencies from coast to coast and sending texts demanding money." In California, many of the fraudulent messages claim to be sent from FasTrak, the state's electronic toll collection system. In northeastern states with electronic toll payments, some messages say they are from E-ZPass. 'The texts claim the recipient owes money for unpaid tolls and contain almost identical language,' the FBI said in a recent warning. 'The 'outstanding toll amount' is similar among the complaints reported to the IC3 (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center). However, the link provided within the text is created to impersonate the state's toll service name, and phone numbers appear to change between states.' Officials say there's a reason for the uptick in the number of fake, unpaid toll text messages people are receiving: They work. 'Scammers have become skilled at imitating legitimate companies, sometimes even linking to legitimate websites. Text-based toll charge scams are prevalent right now and knowing what to look for can keep consumers safe against these tactics,' California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a press release last month. If you've been the victim of a toll road scam, we'd like to hear about your experience. Fill out the questionnaire below, and we'll publish some of the responses in a future article.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Yahoo
Beware of text messages about unpaid tolls, FBI and state authorities warn
(NEXSTAR) – Drivers should be on the lookout for scam text messages warning of an unpaid road toll bill, according to recent warnings from authorities. The text messages name the local toll service, such as FasTrak in California, and have a link that takes the victim to a convincingly-duped version of the collection operator's website. 'The texts claim the recipient owes money for unpaid tolls and contain almost identical language,' according to the FBI. 'The 'outstanding toll amount' is similar among the complaints reported to the IC3 (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center). However, the link provided within the text is created to impersonate the state's toll service name, and phone numbers appear to change between states.' The FBI told Nexstar that it received more than 60,000 complaints in 2024 from people reporting suspicious messages about unpaid tolls. The text-based style of the scam has been labeled 'smishing,' which combines 'SMS' or 'short message service' with 'phishing,' which usually refers to attacks made via email or websites. 'Smishing scams are successful because people tend to trust text messages more than emails, often responding quickly to them without fully considering the content, especially when the message appears to be from a trusted source like a bank or delivery company, making it easy for attackers to trick users into clicking on malicious links or sharing sensitive information,' according to the FBI. The flood of attacks has prompted warnings from police and toll authorities across the country in recent weeks. Last Wednesday, Brian Keenan, the police chief in Holyoke, Mass., reminded E-ZPass users that 'city, state or federal agencies nor utility companies, police, sheriffs, etc. do not accept payments via gift cards, bitcoin, Venmo or similar online payment services.' How National Park staffing cuts could impact your next visit Keenan encouraged residents to delete any such messages and share information about the scam with 'older or elderly members of your family as that population is often targeted.' In California, FastTrak continues to warn customers about the fraud, adding that FasTrak 'does not request payment by text with a link to a website.' The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says they have received a number of complaints about the fake collection attempts, made under the name of various toll services that include the Illinois Tollway, Florida Turnpike (Sunpass), Georgia Peach Pass or EZ Drive MA. 'At first I thought it was legitimate,' said one Massachusetts driver who filed a complaint with the BBB after remembering that autopay was set up and should have covered the toll cost. Roughly a year after the predatory text messages began, investigators and toll collection services are learning more about how the bad actors are operating. John Goodwin, assistant director of communications with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in San Francisco, said the smishing campaign may not be confined to the United States. 'The domain registration for the websites that these messages instruct folks to click on, typically, are registered offshore,' Goodwin said. 'We've traced these to domains registered in Hong Kong, registered in Russia [and] at least one South American country.' In the San Francisco Bay Area, Goodwin says the messages often come in waves, with the messages changing every six or eight weeks, and target people indiscriminately. 'It concerns people, whether they're customers or not,' Goodwin said. 'Our legitimate customers are understandably upset about this, and those who are not yet FasTrak customers are confused.' The scam has even caught the attention of the global International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association (IBTTA), which reported last summer that several states actively shut down illegitimate sites as they were discovered, but admitted that combatting the texts had been challenging. 'The fraudulent messages communicate low toll values owed, combined with the sense of urgency to avoid potentially high fees and risks of vehicle registration or license suspensions,' according to the IBTTA. 'The combination often tricks victims into providing details of their personal information.' The websites behind the imposter texts can look extremely convincing, so those who click on the link may feel secure enough to provide personal details and payment information. If you've fallen victim to the scam, make sure your personal and financial information is secure. The FBI recommends disputing any unfamiliar charges to your credit card account. 'If you have clicked on any of the links from these texts, bad actors could install ransomware or other programs to spy on your online activity or hold your device hostage by encrypting data and demanding payment to unscramble it,' according to the FBI. 'They could also gain access to personal information including passwords, credit card numbers, banking PINs, etc., to take out loans or credit cards or perform other fraudulent financial transactions using your identity.' For more information on safeguarding your identity or starting the recovery process, see the Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft website. The FBI has the following tips for avoiding smishing attacks: Be cautious about clicking links in text messages, even if they appear to be from a trusted source. Remember that companies generally don't contact you to ask for your username or password. Don't click on anything in an unsolicited email or text message. Look up the company's phone number on your own (don't use the one a potential scammer is providing), and call the company to ask if the request is legitimate. Carefully examine the email address, URL, and spelling used in any correspondence. Scammers use slight differences to trick your eye and gain your trust. Be careful what you download. Never open an email attachment from someone you don't know and be wary of email attachments forwarded to you. Set up two-factor (or multi-factor) authentication on any account that allows it, and never disable it. Be careful with what information you share online or on social media. By openly sharing things like pet names, schools you attended, family members, and your birthday, you can give a scammer all the information they need to guess your password or answer your security questions. The FBI asks people who receive unpaid toll smishing texts to report them to the IC3 and include the phone number from where the text originated and the website listed in the text. 'This allows us to track trends and see where there are similarities and differences in what the bad actors are using or how they are contacting their victims,' the FBI told Nexstar. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
23-02-2025
- The Hill
Beware of text messages about unpaid tolls, FBI and state authorities warn
(NEXSTAR) – Drivers should be on the lookout for scam text messages warning of an unpaid road toll bill, according to recent warnings from authorities. The text messages name the local toll service, such as FasTrak in California, and have a link that takes the victim to a convincingly-duped version of the collection operator's website. 'The texts claim the recipient owes money for unpaid tolls and contain almost identical language,' according to the FBI. 'The 'outstanding toll amount' is similar among the complaints reported to the IC3 (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center). However, the link provided within the text is created to impersonate the state's toll service name, and phone numbers appear to change between states.' The FBI told Nexstar that it received more than 60,000 complaints in 2024 from people reporting suspicious messages about unpaid tolls. The text-based style of the scam has been labeled 'smishing,' which combines 'SMS' or 'short message service' with 'phishing,' which usually refers to attacks made via email or websites. 'Smishing scams are successful because people tend to trust text messages more than emails, often responding quickly to them without fully considering the content, especially when the message appears to be from a trusted source like a bank or delivery company, making it easy for attackers to trick users into clicking on malicious links or sharing sensitive information,' according to the FBI. The flood of attacks has prompted warnings from police and toll authorities across the country in recent weeks. Last Wednesday, Brian Keenan, the police chief in Holyoke, Mass., reminded E-ZPass users that 'city, state or federal agencies nor utility companies, police, sheriffs, etc. do not accept payments via gift cards, bitcoin, Venmo or similar online payment services.' Keenan encouraged residents to delete any such messages and share information about the scam with 'older or elderly members of your family as that population is often targeted.' In California, FastTrak continues to warn customers about the fraud, adding that FasTrak 'does not request payment by text with a link to a website.' The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says they have received a number of complaints about the fake collection attempts, made under the name of various toll services that include the Illinois Tollway, Florida Turnpike (Sunpass), Georgia Peach Pass or EZ Drive MA. 'At first I thought it was legitimate,' said one Massachusetts driver who filed a complaint with the BBB after remembering that autopay was set up and should have covered the toll cost. What do we know about the scammers? Roughly a year after the predatory text messages began, investigators and toll collection services are learning more about how the bad actors are operating. John Goodwin, assistant director of communications with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in San Francisco, said the smishing campaign may not be confined to the United States. 'The domain registration for the websites that these messages instruct folks to click on, typically, are registered offshore,' Goodwin said. 'We've traced these to domains registered in Hong Kong, registered in Russia [and] at least one South American country.' In the San Francisco Bay Area, Goodwin says the messages often come in waves, with the messages changing every six or eight weeks, and target people indiscriminately. 'It concerns people, whether they're customers or not,' Goodwin said. 'Our legitimate customers are understandably upset about this, and those who are not yet FasTrak customers are confused.' The scam has even caught the attention of the global International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association (IBTTA), which reported last summer that several states actively shut down illegitimate sites as they were discovered, but admitted that combatting the texts had been challenging. 'The fraudulent messages communicate low toll values owed, combined with the sense of urgency to avoid potentially high fees and risks of vehicle registration or license suspensions,' according to the IBTTA. 'The combination often tricks victims into providing details of their personal information.' What happens if you tried to make a toll payment? The websites behind the imposter texts can look extremely convincing, so those who click on the link may feel secure enough to provide personal details and payment information. If you've fallen victim to the scam, make sure your personal and financial information is secure. The FBI recommends disputing any unfamiliar charges to your credit card account. 'If you have clicked on any of the links from these texts, bad actors could install ransomware or other programs to spy on your online activity or hold your device hostage by encrypting data and demanding payment to unscramble it,' according to the FBI. 'They could also gain access to personal information including passwords, credit card numbers, banking PINs, etc., to take out loans or credit cards or perform other fraudulent financial transactions using your identity.' For more information on safeguarding your identity or starting the recovery process, see the Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft website. Avoiding text-based scams The FBI has the following tips for avoiding smishing attacks: Be cautious about clicking links in text messages, even if they appear to be from a trusted source. Remember that companies generally don't contact you to ask for your username or password. Don't click on anything in an unsolicited email or text message. Look up the company's phone number on your own (don't use the one a potential scammer is providing), and call the company to ask if the request is legitimate. Carefully examine the email address, URL, and spelling used in any correspondence. Scammers use slight differences to trick your eye and gain your trust. Be careful what you download. Never open an email attachment from someone you don't know and be wary of email attachments forwarded to you. Set up two-factor (or multi-factor) authentication on any account that allows it, and never disable it. Be careful with what information you share online or on social media. By openly sharing things like pet names, schools you attended, family members, and your birthday, you can give a scammer all the information they need to guess your password or answer your security questions. The FBI asks people who receive unpaid toll smishing texts to report them to the IC3 and include the phone number from where the text originated and the website listed in the text. 'This allows us to track trends and see where there are similarities and differences in what the bad actors are using or how they are contacting their victims,' the FBI told Nexstar.
CBS News
14-02-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Bay Area State Sen. Dave Cortese seeks audit of MTC, BATA over bridge toll hikes
A lawmaker is seeking a state audit of two agencies involved in the setting of Bay Area bridge tolls, claiming there is a lack of accountability. On Thursday, State Sen. Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) asked the state auditor for an audit of the Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTC) and the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA). In a statement, the senator cited a series of bridge toll hikes that are set to go into effect in 2026, following a toll hike that took effect in January. "People who drive the seven Bay Area state-owned bridges want answers," Cortese, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, said in a statement. Beginning next year, tolls are set to rise annually through 2030 on the Antioch, Bay, Benicia, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael and San Mateo bridges. Tolls on the Golden Gate Bridge are administered by a separate agency. For drivers in regular two-axle cars and trucks, tolls would rise to $8.50 in 2026. FasTrak users would pay $9.00 in 2027, $9.50 in 2028, $10.00 in 2029 and $10.50 in 2030. To encourage FasTrak use, drivers who use license plate accounts or invoiced tolling would also pay a premium ranging from 25 cents to $1.00 beginning in 2027. Tolls for large freight trucks and other vehicle/trailer combinations with three or more axles would also see increases. Officials had previously stated the toll increases would fund the Toll Bridge Capital Improvement Plan, which includes almost $2 billion in projects to preserve the bridges, including painting, repairs and operational improvements. The upcoming toll hikes are separate from a $1 increase that went into effect on Jan. 1, which is the last in a series of toll hikes brought on by Regional Measure 3. Approved by voters nearly seven years ago, the measure uses money collected for bridge tolls to fund multiple road and transit improvements. "While prior toll increases approved in 2018 were supposed to be spent on bridge maintenance and repair costs, it is unclear exactly where that money went. Now BATA is increasing tolls again saying additional maintenance and repair costs were not factored into the 2018 measure. No wonder the public is so confused," Cortese said. Cortese is asking the auditor to evaluate the process the MTC used to determine that the toll hike was necessary and to check the effectiveness of an MTC risk management policy aimed at avoiding cost overruns. The audit also seeks analysis of four toll-funded programs overseen by MTC and BATA, which includes analyzing annual toll revenue and expenditures. John Goodwin, a spokesperson for MTC and BATA, told CBS News Bay Area Thursday, "We at MTC look forward to working with the State Auditor to answer all the questions identified in the audit request from Senator Cortese's office."
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Unpaid tolls? Text scam looks to steal your money and information
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Have you received a text message warning about an unpaid toll bill? It's likely a 'smishing' scam that could steal your money and information. A few variations of this scam have been circulating in the Charleston area over the past few weeks. Messages include warning users that they must pay their 'FastTrak Lane tolls' by a certain date to avoid a fine and keep their license. The messages are followed by a link to pay your bill. Officials warn that message recipients should not click the link or engage with the messages. While FasTrak is a legitimate transportation service out of California, the company said they will never request payment by text with a link to a website. 'The websites provided are fraudulent and are not related to FasTrak, so please do not use them to pay tolls. FasTrak does not request payment by text with a link to a website,' the company said in a statement on its website. The FBI also issued a warning about the so-called smishing attempts and provided an outline for filing a complaint with its Internet Crime Complaint Center: File a complaint with the IC3, be sure to include: The phone number from where the text originated. The website listed within the text Check your account using the toll service's legitimate website. Contact the toll service's customer service phone number. Delete any smishing texts received. If you clicked any link or provided your information, take efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts. Dispute any unfamiliar charges. According to the FBI, smishing is a social engineering attack that uses fake text messages to trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information, or sending money to cyber criminals. Bottom line: If you receive one of these texts, do not engage. If unsure, you should fully vet the message before clicking links or responding. The best option is to delete and/or report the message online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
