A scam via mobile phones is sweeping the Central Coast and elsewhere, where people are being told they owe money for using Bay Area toll roads.
Scammers typically pose as toll collectors and send phone text messages stating the recipient owes money, with warnings of late fees, and include a link to a fake website. The legitimate web address should be bayareafastrak.org.
It first came up in a social engineering attack in the Bay Area in 2023, but continues to emerge.
Its prevalence prompted the FBI to issue a scam alert.
In addition, FasTrak—which operates more than 870 lane miles of interoperable tolled bridges, express lanes and roads in the Bay Area—says that drivers should disregard phishing texts being sent to their phones that show a specific outstanding toll amount.
Anyone who receives a phishing text can file a complaint at ic3.gov.
In recent months, there have been reports of FasTrak toll road scams targeting unsuspecting drivers. These scams often involve fake toll booths set up on highways or bridges, where scammers collect cash payments from drivers under the guise of paying tolls.
It’s important for drivers to be aware of these scams and take steps to protect themselves. Here are a few tips to help you avoid falling victim to a FasTrak toll road scam:
1. Be wary of any toll booths that look suspicious or out of place. Legitimate toll booths are typically well-marked and clearly identified as official FasTrak toll collection points.
2. If you’re unsure about the legitimacy of a toll booth, don’t hesitate to ask the toll collector for identification. Scammers will often try to avoid providing any form of identification or proof of their affiliation with FasTrak.
3. Keep an eye out for any unusual behavior from toll collectors, such as pressuring you to pay in cash or refusing to accept electronic payments. Legitimate toll collectors will always offer multiple payment options and will never pressure you into paying in a specific way.
4. If you suspect that you’ve encountered a FasTrak toll road scam, report it to the authorities immediately. By reporting these scams, you can help prevent other drivers from falling victim to the same scheme.
Remember, it’s always better to be cautious and question any suspicious activity than to fall victim to a scam. Stay vigilant on the road and protect yourself from FasTrak toll road scams.
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FasTrak toll road scams, Pajaronian news, toll road fraud, avoiding toll road scams, FasTrak scam alert, toll road safety tips
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