A New Texting Toll Scam Could Cost Roadtrippers Big This Summer

But those sites are actually cloned websites, sometimes called “spoofs,” that copy the layout of official websites but change the links and payment information to go to private accounts. So while it may look like you’re making a payment to an official website, it’s actually sending your “toll” money straight to scammers. It’s a straightforward scam tactic and one applied in industries from home rentals to tour bookings. But in summer, a season where 75 percent of travelers say they plan to take at least one road trip, it’s likely more profitable than ever for the scammers behind the scheme.

Do not enter any payment information into a link sent via text. Photo: Carles Mateo Aguila/Shutterstock

If you get a text advising you of an unpaid fine from a state’s transportation agency, ignore the link. It’s almost certainly a scam, and if you suspect you do perhaps owe a toll fare, you should contact that state’s transportation department directly to ask. Don’t follow the link in the text, even if it looks legitimate.

The FBI advises recipients of the toll scam text to report it to the Crime Complaint Center via an online form. Make sure you report the text before you delete it, as you’ll be asked to include the phone number that sent it. You can also report via similar forms for several states where the scam is ongoing, including Florida and Michigan — though more are likely to be on the way soon, unfortunately.