Unpaid toll text messages are likely a scam, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission warns, urging drivers to stay vigilant and avoid falling for fraudulent messages claiming overdue toll notices.
Why It Matters
Scammers have been impersonating tolling agencies by sending text messages claiming recipients urgently need to settle overdue balances.
Text messages have long been one of the most common methods scammers use to carry out fraud, a tactic known as “smishing.” In 2023, nearly 2.6 million fraud reports were filed, resulting in about $10 billion in losses, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
Scamming remains a massive industry, with thousands of Americans falling victim to various schemes each year. Prevention and detection tips can help protect your wallet and data.
What To Know
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has received tens of thousands of calls related to the scam, Marissa Orbanek, the commission’s press secretary told Newsweek on Friday.
The commission is urging customers to “be vigilant and refrain from clicking on any links or engaging with unexpected text demanding money for unpaid tolls,” as a text scam that has targeted individuals in Pennsylvania since April 2024 has intensified. Orbanek said the commission “saw a big uptick [in cases] in June and now have outpaced that within recent weeks.”
Newsweek has reached out to the PA Turnpike Commission’s press team for comment via email on Friday.
Several other state authorities, including the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Maryland Transportation Authority, have reported similar scams. The FBI issued a public service announcement on the scam format in April 2024.
How the Scam Works
“Smishing” is a scam method that uses text messages to trick people into giving away sensitive information that could lead to losing money or having their identity stolen.
The messages often contain links to malicious websites, urging recipients to respond with sensitive information quickly to avoid fees.
Scammers impersonate tolling agencies, such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, by sending text messages claiming customers urgently need to pay an overdue toll and should click a link to do so. Some messages specify the exact amount allegedly owed, while others do not.
Some of the texts encourage quick payment or threaten excessive late fees, but the PA Turnpike Commission warned that users should “resist the pressure to act immediately. Honest businesses will give you time to make decisions when it comes to financial matters.”
Steps to Protect Yourself
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Do not click on any links in unsolicited text messages
- Verify toll accounts directly through official tolling agency websites, such as the official PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or the PA Toll Pay app
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission nor its partners will ask for payments through links or third-party services such as Zelle or Venmo
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission does not text E-ZPass or Toll By Plate customers
- Delete suspicious messages immediately and do not respond
- Report fraudulent texts to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), including details such as the sender’s phone number and the linked website
- If personal or financial information has been shared, contact your bank or credit card company to secure accounts and dispute unauthorized charges
- Find out more information about the scam on the PA Turnpike Commission’s website or contact the commission’s customer service Monday through Friday at 1-877-736-6727
The post Pennsylvania Turnpike Scam Texts—Here’s What to Watch Out For appeared first on Newsweek.
