Latest news with #OklahomaTurnpikeAuthority
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
Oklahoma officials warn against PIKEPASS text scam: How to see if your charges are real
If you recently received a text message about unpaid turnpike charges, it's probably a scam. Americans across the country have reported getting the fake message, which claims that the receiver has an outstanding balance and threatens legal action. While some messages claim to be from E-ZPass, or another state's toll collection agency, Oklahomans have also reported receiving texts that mention the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, PlatePay or PIKEPASS. Law enforcement authorities call this type of scam "smishing." While E-ZPass is a legitimate service used in 20 states, it's not used here. In Oklahoma, the cashless turnpike toll system is called PlatePay. Drivers who frequently use turnpikes can also sign up for the cheaper PIKEPASS service. "Smishing" is a social engineering attack that uses fake text messages to trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information or sending money to hackers, according to IBM. The term is a combination of "SMS" or "short message service" and "phishing," an umbrella term for social engineering attacks. "The targeted phone numbers seem to be chosen at random and are not uniquely associated with an account or usage of toll roads. The agency is encouraging customers to remain vigilant about any messages they receive via text," PIKEPASS said in an alert posted to its website. As of noon April 23, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority security personnel working in conjunction with other tolling authorities nationally had identified 264 scam websites and 146 websites had been deactivated in the past week, Executive Director Joe Echelle said. "The problem is that we're seeing multiple fake websites go up at a time including 100 new websites in the past 24 hours alone to continue this egregious targeting of consumers," he said. "We want to reassure turnpike customers that their personal information remains secure with OTA as these false text messages are not related to actual turnpike travel." Some of the smishing texts claim consequences that are not possible. The OTA cannot impound vehicles or garnish wages, as examples. Federal Trade Commission reports say that scammers are pretending to be toll agencies from coast to coast and sending text messages demanding money, often with a link to pay the said toll. By clicking the link, however, you may lose money and accidentally give scammers personal information. If you haven't taken an Oklahoma toll road lately or haven't been to one of the 20 states where E-ZPass is used, just delete the message without clicking any of the links. You can also report the message as "junk" to help improve spam filters. On its website, E-ZPass warns that if you've never had an account with them, any message purporting to be from E-ZPass is probably a scam. The scammers generally try to impersonate the toll service in your state, but Oklahomans have been hit with the fake E-ZPass messages. The texts will include links to a dupe website with a URL and a webpage designed to look like the real thing. NBC News reported that it's "the end result of an elaborate online syndicate of Chinese-speaking scammers selling ready-made cybercrime kits" meant to steal credit card information and other personal details. Last April, the FBI reported receiving more than 2,000 complaints reporting similar scams representing toll road collection services. The FTC warned that the scam had spread from "coast to coast." If you did click the link or provide any information, the FBI recommends making efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts. This includes tracking and disputing any unfamiliar charges. Victims should also file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center including the phone number where the text originated and the website listed in the text. If you think you might owe toll charges, it's best to independently check that entity's website. There are two ways that Oklahoma collects tolls. Regular turnpike users can sign up for PIKEPASS, which gives a discount on charges and can be used in Colorado, Kansas, Texas and Florida. Any charges are deducted from the customer's prepaid balance. More: Oklahoma bill targets unpaid tolls from owners of vehicles with tribal tags For one-off trips that take you down one of Oklahoma's turnpikes, an invoice will be mailed to the registered vehicle owner from PlatePay, the state's relatively new cashless tolling system. It's more expensive, but doesn't require a prepaid service. To check whether you owe a toll charge in Oklahoma, visit the PlatePay website and enter your car's license plate number or the account number listed on the mailed invoice. Josh Kelly contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Scammers launch fake Oklahoma PIKEPASS, PlatePay text messages
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
ODOT & OTA stress Work Zone Awareness Month in April
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – April is Work Zone Awareness Month. It's a time for drivers to recognize the role they play in work zones. Distracted driving in these areas can have impacts on construction delay or deadly consequences. 'Avoid the avoidable,' said Jeff Garder, the Director of Construction for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. LOCAL NEWS: City of OKC hosts special collection April 12 In front of the State Department of Transportation, a memorial stands tall bearing the names of employees who lost their lives after being hit by cars while doing their job on Oklahoma roadways. You may remember recent names like Terry Clubb, Ira Henderson, Tim Vandiver, Gordan Pipkin, Jerrell Gray, and Rickie Nichols Jr. The most recent name added to the memorial is from December, when ODOT employee Jaden Jackson was killed while on the job in LeFlore County. Johnathan Brooks, an engineer with ODOT, said other road workers are alive but carry the scars. 'Personally, I know contractors that have been hit and have been in the hospitals for months and months,' said Brooks. It's something that can be avoided, and that's the focus in April, Work Zone Awareness Month. Garder said as temperatures rise, so does the number of active work zones. 'Its favorable conditions to get work done,' said Garder. Right now, there are more than 100 road projects across the state. After a crash, tie-ups and cleanup can take hours. LOCAL NEWS: New policy for animal intake at OKC Animal Welfare 'You're between barrier wall, and you're in a tighter configuration, where it's harder for first responders to get to the scene,' said Garder. Secondary accidents are also a risk. 'People have to slow down right? And brake their brakes really suddenly,' said Brooks. So remember, put away your distractions, drive the speed limit, and watch out for those making your commute better in the long run. Remember, buckling up may seem like a 'no-brainer,' but ODOT said Oklahoma is among the ten states where drivers and passengers are least likely to use seat belts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill targets unpaid Oklahoma turnpike tolls owed by those with trial tags
A street sign marks the interchange of Interstate 40 and the Kilpatrick Turnpike. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY – A Senate panel on Tuesday passed a measure aimed at helping the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority collect tolls owed by owners of vehicles with tribal tags. Senate Bill 675 authorizes the Department of Public Safety to provide the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority with vehicle owner registration held by the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Telecommunications Systems network. 'The purpose of this bill is to allow tolls to be collected from those who are traveling on the state turnpike system but are not a part of the PikePass system and are not able to be invoiced, which is the case with many tribal vehicle registrations,' said Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, the author. PikePass deducts tolls from prepaid accounts when a vehicle passes certain locations. The state recently added PlatePay, where a picture of the tag is taken and an invoice is mailed to the person who holds the registration. Under the bill, information to be shared includes license plate details and the vehicle owner's name and address, Jech said. The OTA already receives tribal information through compacts with the Chickasaw, Choctaw and Cherokee tribes, Jech said. It also receives information through agreements with the Miami and Sac and Fox tribes, Jech said. 'So, tolls are being paid in those circumstances,' Jech said. An estimated 70% to 80% of tribal tags are covered through the compacts or agreements, Jech said. The bill would cover the remainder, Jech said. According to the OTA, nearly $12.6 million is owed from owners of tribal tags that are not under an agreement or compact. If agreements are reached with the remaining tribes prior to the effective date of the bill, which is Nov. 1, the language of the bill would not apply in those cases, Jech said. A similar bill got hung up in the House last session, Jech said. Jech said negotiations with the non-participating tribes have been productive. 'I am concerned that if we intervene at this point, then that will tilt kind of the negotiations and kind of leverage from both sides in those ongoing negotiations,' said Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City. Jech said Brooks had a valid point, but that was not his intent. 'I would take the other side,' Jech said. 'I think this would maybe encourage them.' Jech said he thinks all the parties involved have been operating in good faith. 'This is a fairness issue,' Jech said. 'If the Turnpike Authority is not able to obtain access to motor vehicle registration information, then they can not send an invoice for travel on our turnpike network, which is unfair to those who do pay for their travel.' The Senate Public Safety Committee passed the bill by a vote of 5-1 and heads to the full Senate for possible consideration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Push advances for people to have more say surrounding OTA
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — One of several bills pushing for more public control surrounding the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority passed committee on Thursday. Representative Danny Sterling's (R-Tecumseh) bill, HB 1939, would modify certain powers and control of the OTA. The modifications include an expiration of legislative authorization for certain turnpike projects, after it expires, legislators would have a say. 'I think this bill is needed because the legislature really has no input as far as future turnpikes because of the legislators in the past that have put that into play. This allows the people that are going to be directly impacted by what happens coming through their property or municipality to see exactly what it looks like and how it's going to impact them,' said Sterling. New, higher Oklahoma toll prices now in effect 'I have a hard time grasping this. That we got to stop them because they're all evil? I don't believe that,' said one representative during Thursday's committee meeting who voted against it. Some lawmakers expressed concern surrounding it and said that this could end up stopping projects from progressing. 'I don't see anything in the language that says something about it being evil or we need to stop the OTA,' said a different representative for the bill. 'We think that there's a lot of problems with private property rights. Eminent domain should not be used specifically for economic development,' said Randy Carter with Oklahomans for Responsible Transportation. The group has been in the rooms with legislators over the last couple of weeks, but for the last couple of years, they said they have fought to bring transparency to light surrounding OTA. 'This bill will help with the process of the public. Being more informed about what's going on,' said Carter. This is one of several bills that passed through in the last couple of weeks. It's an overall push that Carter and others said is needed lately. 'Yes. The people who are directly affected by this turnpike are very passionate about it. We feel like our private property rights have been violated,' said Carter. Sterling said on Thursday that he is working with the OTA on these ideas, and is trying to bring everyone together to pass the legislation. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is committed to transparency and continues to meet with Rep. Sterling to address our concerns with some of the bill language, which includes the order in which some processes take place. OTA looks forward to seeing the result to ensure that all citizens have clarity and confidence in OTA's processes as we continue to help meet the state's transportation infrastructure needs. Spokesperson for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Winter weather wreaks havoc, multiple semi-truck crashes on slick roads
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Bitterly cold temperatures are keeping road conditions hazardous across the metro. On Wednesday morning, there were multiple wrecks involving semi-trucks and even a snowplow that slid off the road. The shaky start Wednesday began with McIntyre Law Chopper 4 over a big wreck on I-35 in Moore that involved a semi truck. There was another on I-40 near Harrah Road where a truck ended up completely on its side to. LOCAL NEWS: 'Business as usual': Oklahoma workers braving the bitter cold 'You have to be extra cautious on snow and ice because it can be tricky,' AAA Spokesperson Shawn Steward said. Just northwest of that a snow plow slid off the road. That was just a day after the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority said three snowplows were hit by other drivers. EMSA said on Tuesday alone they worked 44 wrecks and took 11 people to the hospital. That's more than double their normal rate, according to a news release Wednesday morning. Troopers with Oklahoma Highway Patrol went to more than 330 crashes statewide by late afternoon Tuesday as well. 'You've got to take it easy. You know, take your time and everything,' truck driver Kenneth Allen said. Allen has been driving a semi truck for 10 years. He said safety is a top priority when moving the big rig through winter weather. LOCAL NEWS: Multiple crashes, major traffic backups on I-35 SB 'If I got to shut it down, I just called safety I'm like, 'hey, the road's not safe for me to drive on' so I can pull over,' he said. He said he and his company don't want to lose their load or his life. He and his dog made a stop near NE 122nd Street and I-35 Wednesday while on their way to Omaha, Nebraska before hitting the highway once again. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has information on road conditions that you can keep an eye on in the coming days. We'll also keep you up to date at KFOR. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
