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USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
She ignored 'scam' texts telling her she owed money. It backfired
Americans' inboxes face a daily deluge of unwanted spam. Phishing texts claiming that tolls haven't been paid or packages can't be delivered, calls from solicitors promising to erase debt, malware emails offering winnings from a sweepstakes that no one ever entered. The youngest and oldest among us, even, have developed a way to manage the sheer volume of messages, often by hitting 'delete' the moment something looks like it slipped past their spam filter. This instinct, however, comes with the risk of missing real, urgent messages, something one California resident learned the hard way. Ashley, 47, said she had been receiving texts from a number claiming to be The Toll Roads, the administrator of tolling in California, stating that the balance on her electronic toll payment method, FasTrak (similar to other systems like E-Z Pass, SunPass and TxTag), was getting low. With everyone from the federal government to the tolling agency itself advising that consumers delete phony text messages about owed tolls from their phones, she did just that. More: Toll road scam: More transportation authorities warn of fake texts in multiple states 'I assumed it was a scam and so I just kept deleting them because I was like, 'Oh, I'm not going to fall for that, I'm too smart to fall for that,'' she told USA TODAY. 'Prior to this, they had been communicating with me via email. I didn't even know that they had my phone number and so I assumed 100% it was a scam.' Ashley's reticence to click the link urging her to 'pay now' was hardly unfounded; warnings about a storm of phishing texts from scammers posing as toll authorities have been issued by agencies from the Federal Trade Commission to the FBI since January. Having received a plethora of obviously fake texts from senders claiming to be from UPS, FedEx, her bank and beyond, Ashley said she had no reason to believe these were any different. That was, until she finally got an email, reviewed by USA TODAY, with a big, bold deactivation notice. When 'scam' texts turn out to be real '[The email] said 'we've deactivated your account. You're going to be in flagrant violation if you use any of our toll roads ever again,'' Ashley said. 'And I just panicked because I use them all the time, you know.' It was then that she finally logged in, checked her account, and found it disconnected from the auto-refill feature that had previously been attached to her bank card. 'I went into my account and, indeed, it had been deactivated, it had been canceled and all of those text messages were, in fact, from them,' she said. Fortunately, she had not yet incurred a large unpaid balance of tolls and fees, but she said the idea that she could have been breaking the law or putting herself in a bad position without her knowledge troubled her. 'Anytime I get a text message that says 'you need to send money' or 'click on this link' and I don't know where it's from, I automatically delete it,' she said. 'I do wonder how businesses are going to be able to communicate with their customers via text. I'm not even sure that they can because there is so much fraud that I don't think I'm alone in not believing a text from a legitimate business.' Toll companies advise caution Michelle Kennedy, media relations manager for The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), which operates The Toll Roads, told USA TODAY in an email that while some account holders may receive texts about legitimate account issues, 'the majority' of text interactions reported to the agency are phishing scam-related. '[TCA] will send text messages to our accountholders ONLY if they opt in to receive messages – and only sent when we are unable to process payment on their account, replenishment amounts change or credit card expiration is nearing,' she said. Customers may also receive interactions from legitimate customer service representatives via email, phone call or physical mail. '[TCA] has several ways for customers to interact with The Toll Roads and check account status, establish accounts, manage accounts, pay tolls and resolve violations,' she said, including The Toll Roads app, statement emails and customer service phone lines and walk-in centers. How to spot a text message scam While Ashley was able to reactivate her account without paying a huge fee, an account that goes delinquent can result in hundreds and even thousands of dollars in penalties in other states. With scam attacks on iPhones and Androids surging by more than 700% in June alone, the need for caution doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon, leaving consumers with the question: how do I protect myself from malicious texts without missing real and important ones? Leyla Bilge, Global Head of Scam Research for the antivirus and cybersecurity software company Norton, has some tips. 'With scam messages growing more convincing, it's no longer enough to rely on instinct alone,' she said. 'Think of your inbox like a busy street. Some doors lead to real businesses, and others are traps. You wouldn't walk into a sketchy alley just because someone shouted your name, so treat suspicious messages the same way.' Bilge's checklist for verifying the legitimacy of a text includes a few easy-to-follow tips: 'When people understand how scams operate and feel equipped to verify messages safely, they're more likely to pause, think, and make the right call — without missing something important,' she said. 'The calmer and more confident we are, the harder it is for scammers to succeed.'
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Miami International Airport is rolling out some changes. Take a look
South Florida Miami International Airport is rolling out some changes. Take a look Miami International Airport has several projects in the works to improve the traveler experience. One article details a $9 billion project at MIA, introducing improvements like the Flamingo Garage extension, South Terminal expansion and Central Terminal redevelopment. In another instance, the airport plans to reinstate the SunPass system for parking, correcting past issues to satisfy traveler preferences. Additionally, MIA prepares to replace the terminal roof, adding solar panels and improving drainage. See the coverage below. A general view of a new parking garage under construction at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. By SAM NAVARRO NO. 1: CAN THE MIAMI AIRPORT GET BETTER? HERE'S A LIST OF IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WORKS What to know about the projects. | Published December 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha No image found Traffic outside the departures area at Miami International Airport on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. By D.A. Varela NO. 2: PARKING AT THE MIAMI AIRPORT IS CHANGING AGAIN. WHAT DRIVERS CAN EXPECT AT THE GARAGES What to know about fees and the way to pay them. | Published March 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
CBS News
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Scammers may be using AI to target Florida drivers. Here's what you should do
Florida tolling company or AI scam? Here's how to spot the difference Florida tolling company or AI scam? Here's how to spot the difference Florida tolling company or AI scam? Here's how to spot the difference Scammers have another tool at their disposal in an ongoing fraud that targets drivers in Florida and across the nation. Cyber security experts say artificial intelligence could be helping to make their scams more believable. "It's a scam, flat out," Pat Certain said. Certain has been frustrated for months by text messages he's received from SunPass imposters, threatening him to pay alleged overdue tolls. So how many scam texts has he received so far this year? "A lot, I'd say an easy dozen," he said. Certain said he knows it's a scam, but he's worried about those who are not as tech savvy. "Some people my age and up, we don't know and they just drag people right in and they may not know the lingo," Certain said. The unpaid toll text scam has gotten the attention of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier who announced earlier this year hundreds of fraudulent websites had been taken down. The fraudulent messages, which usually include a link where people can pay, claim to be from the state. They will often say if the outstanding balance isn't paid within 24 hours, the driver could face suspension of their vehicle's registration or other legal action. The Florida Department of Transportation said that more than 4,000 fraudulent websites have been identified and removed so far this year. Artificial intelligence makes the scam more efficient "The crooks are betting that "A" you have a vehicle and "B" you drive that vehicle," Adam Coughran, a security expert, said. Coughran said the scam texts used to be obvious with misspelled words and bizarre requests. He said now, using artificial intelligence, the scams are more efficient and believable. "You can use it to sort of automate components, so instead of someone on a phone having to text everything and copy and paste every message, it becomes like a robocall," Coughran said. Utilizing AI also makes those perpetrating the scam harder to track, Coughran said. "Unlike a traditional crime, the fingerprints so to speak, or the DNA, to try and grab where it's coming from can be incredibly hard," he said. Here's how to protect yourself People who get a text message that just feels off should never click links within the message. Also, never respond to the text, even if it asks you to reply to end the messaging. In fact, it's best to delete any suspicious texts and keep your phone's operating system updated. Also, report the scam text you get to the state. To report suspicious activity related to SunPass or E-ZPass, Floridians can file complaints on FDLE's Report a Cybercrime webpage.
Miami Herald
08-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Planning a summer trip to the Florida Keys? Here are 9 things to know
March and April mark the height of spring tourist season in the Florida Keys. Special events fill the calendar to give visitors more to do than just a bar crawl along Duval Street. Whatever your plans, you can always count on glorious sunsets and the lazy days on the beach. Here are some other helpful things to know about the Florida Keys: 1. Upcoming events ▪ Summer Solstice Celebration at Mallory Square: June 1-20, nightly sunset celebration features special events and performances from 7 p.m. until after sunset, leading up to the summer solstice first day of summer. ▪ Key Lime Festival: June 2-5, highlights include a Fourth of Jule Key lime pie eating contest; a pie drop competition from the top of the Key West Lighthouse and a 5K run. ▪ Hemingway Days: July 20-25, highlights of the annual celebration of the author include a look-alike contest at Sloppy Joe's Bar. 2. The most notable beaches in the Keys The Florida Keys aren't known for beaches. If you're imagining an island paradise, you're in luck. If you're imagining an island paradise with miles of sandy shore, you could be disappointed. There are only a few of those accessible by land. Here are most notable: Sombrero Beach: 200 36th St. on the ocean side in the Middle Keys city of Marathon. This is one of the Keys best-kept secrets. It's a picturesque sandy beach with crystal-clear shallow water. There's also playgrounds, restroom facilities and picnic areas. Anne's Beach: Mile marker 73 in Lower Matecumbe Key in the Village of Islamorada. Not a traditional beach, but also a hidden treasure in the Keys. The beach has a boardwalk under a mangrove canopy. Instead of setting up a spot on the sand, beachgoers typically pitch their chairs in the shallow clear blue water and laze the day away. Restrooms are in the small parking lot, and picnic tables are on the boardwalk. Bahia Honda State Park: 36850 Overseas Hwy. at mile marker 37 in Big Pine Key. Like Anne's Beach, Bahia Honda is a palm tree-lined beach with clear turquoise water. But it's a lot bigger, with three stretches of beach. Beachgoers can also rent kayaks and snorkeling gear. Harry Harris Park: 50 E Beach Road, mile marker 92.5, in Tavernier in the Upper Keys between Key Largo and Islamorada. The oceanfront county park has a small, family friendly beach, playgrounds and picnic pavilions. Curry Hammock State Park: 56200 Overseas Highway at mile marker 56.2 in Marathon. The park has a 1,200-feet wide sandy beach, picnic facilities and a playground. It is a hot spot for kiteboarders and those who want to sit back on the sand and watch the high-flying action. Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach: 1000 Atlantic Blvd. in Key West. 3. Are there tolls on the Overseas Highway? No toll: Traveling on the Overseas Highway is toll-free. 4. Are there tolls on Card Sound Road? Toll: Card Sound Road, considered an alternate road to the Keys, has a $2.08 toll, taken electronically through SunPass, at the northern end of the bridge, a 65-foot high, 2,800-foot long span that crosses Card Sound.. The cost for toll-by-plate is $3.12. Directions: Getting into the Keys using Card Sound Road, or County Road 905A, drivers take the highway southeast, over the bridge to a three-way stop sign. If you make a left, you'll head to the ultra-exclusive gated community of Ocean Reef. Turn right on County Road 905 (without the 'A') and you're on your way to Key Largo. 5. How long will it take to reach your destination? Traffic congestion in the Keys — especially during weekends, special events, spring break and the peak tourist season — can slow things considerably. Passing is allowed only in certain spots. Most of the Overseas Highway runs two lanes. Here are some estimates for your trip: Miami to Key Largo: The trip can take 2 1/2 hours. Key Largo to Key West: The trip can take 2 1/2 hours. Miami to Key West: It's about a four-hour drive from Miami to Key West, and under three hours from Florida City to Key West without delays. 6. What to know about U.S. 1 in the Florida Keys Length: The highway runs 113 miles through the Keys over the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Mile markers: Green mile marker signs are on the side of the road and are used for addresses and directions. The road begins and ends in Key West, where the mile marker zero signs are at Whitehead and Fleming streets. Bridges: The longest span is the Seven Mile Bridge, which is actually 6.79 miles long. The second longest is the Long Key Bridge, at 2.3 miles. 7. How to monitor traffic to and from the Florida Keys Two free apps can help you navigate the Overseas Highway. One is for traffic and the other is a guide to the Keys. ▪ The Monroe County Sheriff's Office has a namesake app that is a must-have for people who must take the road regularly. The app has a 'live calls and traffic info' tab that gives the location and times of crashes or other traffic disruptions, such as when a medical helicopter is landing on the highway. You can also sign up for notifications, which will tell you when lanes are reopened. The sheriff's office also posts about crashes in real time on its Facebook and Twitter feeds, which you can access through the app. ▪ A travel app from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council —The Florida Keys and Key West — features just about everything you want to know about exploring the islands. The app includes narrated driving tours — one for each direction of the highway — along with lists of hotels, restaurants, art galleries, watersports rentals and fishing guides. Information is categorized by location: Key West, the Lower Keys, Marathon, Islamorada and Key West. The app also has videos of the Keys, a map and weather forecasts. Both apps are available through the Apple Store and Google Play. 8. What if you get seriously sick during your visit? Monroe County has three hospitals, with one marking each major section of the island chain from Key Largo to Key West. For major traumas, patients are airlifted by helicopter to medical centers in the Miami area. Addresses and phone numbers for the hospitals are listed below, but if you have a medical emergency, call 911. Lower Keys Medical Center: 5900 College Rd. Key West, 305-294-5531. Key West's Lower Keys Medical Center has 167 beds spread over two locations. The main campus with an emergency room is on College Road on Stock Island. The hospital has 23 beds at its DePoo Medical Building, 1200 Kennedy Dr., where mental health and rehabilitation services are offered. The number at DePoo is 305-294-5535. Fishermen's Hospital: 3301 Overseas Hwy., Marathon, 305-434-1000. This hospital is in the Middle Keys city of Marathon and run by the nonprofit Baptist Health South Florida. The entirely new 33,330-square foot, 22-bed hospital opened last year after the original 1962-era hospital was severely damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Fishermen's, which is now designed to withstand the wind speeds of a Category 5 hurricane, offers specialized services such as 24/7 emergency care with nine emergency department beds. Mariners Hospital: 91500 Overseas Hwy., Tavernier, 305-434-3000 In the Upper Keys, Mariners Hospital is a 25-bed hospital run by Baptist Health South Florida. Mariners dates back to 1962. It's home to the only hospital-based hyperbaric chamber in the Keys. It uses oxygen therapy to treat illnesses that include diving-related decompression sickness. 9. What are some must-see attractions in the Keys? ▪ Duval Street: World famous Duval Street is where the party starts in Key West. Duval awaits visitors with bars, live music, restaurants, art galleries, hotels and guesthouses, and clothing and souvenir shops. The 1.25-mile-long Duval Street stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. ▪ Conch Tour Train: The Conch Tour Train, which started in 1958, is an easy way to see the major sights in Key West and learn the island's history. The ride starts at a depot on Front Street and ends right behind it in Mallory Square. The 75-minute trip makes a loop through Old Town and runs daily. ▪ Southernmost Point buoy: This waterfront spot downtown is possibly Key West's most photographed attraction, claiming the southernmost point in the continental United States and a landmark '90 miles to Cuba.' You will likely have to wait in line for a turn to stand before the giant marker located where Whitehead and South streets meet. ▪ Key West Lighthouse: You can walk up 88 steps to the top of the Key West Lighthouse, which opened in 1848 and was decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1969. Today, it's a museum dedicated to Key West's maritime heritage, honoring those who kept the light shining through trying times. In addition to the view, the museum includes belongings, photos and memories of the lighthouse keepers and their families. ▪ John Pennekamp Coral Reef Park: This Key Largo state park is famous for being underwater and boasts four kinds of boat tours, which include glass-bottom boat trips. Rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard and make your way through the park's 50 miles of mangrove wilderness. Reservations must be made online, and you can call 305-451-6300 for more information. ▪ Bahia Honda State Park: With access to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, Bahia Honda is a great launching pad for boaters. If you aren't using your own boat, you can join a boat tour and snorkel in the Looe Key National Marine can also camp on their boats, which is the perfect opportunity to stargaze after dark. The park cautions that due to its popularity, the park can close when it reaches maximum capacity in its day use areas. It's best to arrive early on busy days such as holidays and weekends. ▪ Theater of the Sea: You can swim, wade or paint with a dolphin at Islamorada's Theater of the Sea, which also offers a chance to hang out with sea lions, an alligator, nurse sharks, stingrays, a sea turtle and parrots. Created in 1946 by the P.F. McKenney family, which still owns and operates the attraction, Theater of the Sea pumps in 12 million gallons of ocean water a day to maintain the three-acre natural salt-water lagoons. While the theater has a list of 'animal interactions' for extra fees, you can opt to pay general admission to watch the dolphin, sea lion and parrot shows, take a short boat ride, lounge on the lagoon-side beach and take a fish and reptile tour that includes alligators. ▪ Robbie's Marina: No trip through the Upper Keys is complete without a stop to feed the tarpon. Robbie's Marina of Islamorada offers charter fishing trips, parasailing, boat and kayak rentals along with a restaurant and open-air market. But it's the chance to feed tarpon by hand at Robbie's that makes it a classic Keys roadside attraction. A school of more than 100 tarpon hang out at the marina for hours, according to Robbie's, and occasionally one of the 'silver kings' will emerge from the water to grab some tossed fish. There's a dock access fee, and you'll also pay for a bucket of fish. ▪ Dolphins Research Center: The Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key is dedicated to learning and teaching about dolphins and is licensed by the federal government to help manatees in distress. It also welcomes people to spend a couple of hours or the day on the grounds or pay to swim with a dolphin. Higher ticket options include a chance to shadow dolphin trainers, or spend half a day with the dolphins and sea lions. General admission allows you to observe the dolphins and sea lions. ▪ Pigeon Key: At just five acres, this island beneath the 'Old' Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon sure is tiny. But it played a huge role in Keys history. This is where hundreds of workers bunked while building Henry Flagler's Key West extension of the Florida East Coast Railway, which connected the Keys to mainland Florida. Pigeon Key's grounds and buildings date back to 1908. These days, the buildings are used for marine science education programs. People in the programs get to spend the night on the island. But you can still visit Pigeon Key. Tours, which have an admission price and last about an hour, are available. You'll take a ferry from the Pigeon Key visitor center at mile marker 47.5 between the Faro Blanco Resort and the Marriott Hotel. ▪ The Turtle Hospital: The Turtle Hospital in the Middle Keys city of Marathon is much more than a place to meet some sea turtles up close and personal. Richie Moretti, a New Jersey native and former Volkswagen mechanic, opened the hospital in 1986 to rescue and rehabilitate injured and sick sea turtles, and when they're healthy enough, release them back to the turned the old Hidden Harbor Motel into a veterinary hospital for turtles. Since its founding, the Turtle Hospital has helped heal and release more than 1,500 sea turtles. The rehabilitation area includes 23 tanks that range between 150 and 800 gallons, and a 100,000 gallon saltwater pool. After the tour, which has an admission fee, visitors may feed the 'permanent resident' turtles. ▪ National Key Deer Refuge: The adorable Key deer are found in the Lower Keys and nowhere else on the planet. Stop in Big Pine Key or the remote No Name Key and you're likely to spot the deer, which grow to about three feet tall Created in 1957 to protect and preserve the deer, the National Key Deer Refuge covers 9,200 acres and is home to 23 endangered and threatened plant and animal species.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘I feel lousy': Tampa woman, 83, lost $4.5K to a common phishing scam — here's how to avoid the same bait
When Ed Mondello's 83-year-old wife received a text message about an unpaid toll, it seemed legitimate. 'They said she didn't pay the toll and had to pay $6.99 by a certain time,' the Tampa Bay resident told WFLA News. 'If not, it would go to her credit report, and she would lose her registration. I feel lousy." I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) The link in the message looked official, appearing to come from Florida's SunPass system complete with branded logos and language. Wanting to resolve the issue quickly, she clicked the link and entered her debit card information. That small decision cost $4,500. According to Mondello, the thieves used his wife's debit card 25 times over three days, making purchases at Staples stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Their story is part of a troubling national trend: a surge in toll-related phishing scams. The toll scam targeting the Mondellos follows a typical playbook in which scammers impersonate toll agencies and send mass text messages claiming that recipients owe a small amount for unpaid tolls. The messages typically include a link and urgent warnings of steep late fees or even the threat of license suspension without immediate payment. The link directs victims to a fake payment portal. Once a victim enters their credit or debit card information, scammers charge large sums or steal sensitive information for future use. Read more: Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans lost $470 million to text-message scams in 2024 alone — five times as many as in 2020. Older adults are particularly vulnerable. AARP reports that people in their 70s suffered median losses of $20,000 to investment scams — a stark contrast to the $1,551 median loss reported by victims in their 20s. Here are some ways you can protect yourself from toll-related text scams: Don't click links in unsolicited texts: If you receive a toll notice, contact the tolling agency through their official website. Look closely at the sender: Scam texts often come from email addresses or numbers you can't trace. Verify the message with the tolling agency using a trusted source when in doubt. Watch for urgency: Scammers rely on panic to prompt quick action. A legitimate agency won't threaten license suspension or credit damage over a single missed payment. Enable alerts from your bank: Instant notifications can help you catch and respond to fraudulent activity before it causes more damage. Report suspicious messages: Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) and delete them from your device. In the end, the Mondellos were fortunate. Their credit union, Achieva, reimbursed the more than $4,500 they lost in the scam. Still, the experience left its mark. Ed says his wife learned a challenging but important lesson about suspicious text messages. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead There's a 60% chance of a recession hitting the American economy this year — protect your retirement savings with these essential money moves ASAP (most of which you can complete in just minutes) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Sign in to access your portfolio
