Your cart is currently empty!
Federal warning: Got a text about unpaid tolls? Is it real? What you need to know
Paying tolls has become a regular – and sometimes expensive – part of traveling. In many cases, you no longer stop at a toll booth to drop in coins but rather have your license plate image captured by a camera and a bill sent to your home.
So what do you do if you receive a text that you owe for an unpaid toll that you don’t even remember? Should you click on the link, pay the bill and move on?
Don’t, the Federal Trade Commission warns.
There’s been a recent rash of scam texts telling people they owe for tolls.
Here is how FTC explains the scam:
“You get a text out of the blue that says you have unpaid tolls and need to pay immediately. The scammy text might show a dollar amount for how much you supposedly owe and include a link that takes you to a page to enter your bank or credit card info — but it’s a phishing scam. Not only is the scammer trying to steal your money, but if you click the link, they could get your personal info (like your driver’s license number) — and even steal your identity.”
What should you do if you receive a toll text? Here’s what FTC recommends:
- Don’t click on any links in, or respond to, unexpected texts. Scammers want you to react quickly, but it’s best to stop and check it out.
- Check to see if the text is legit. Reach out to the state’s tolling agency using a phone number or website you know is real and don’t use the contact info on the text. If you haven’t traveled and know you didn’t go through a toll, you can almost bet the text is a scam.
- Report and delete unwanted text messages. Use your phone’s “report junk” option to report unwanted texts to your messaging app or forward them to 7726 (SPAM).
Federal Warning: Got a Text About Unpaid Tolls? Is it Real? What You Need to Know
If you’ve recently received a text message claiming that you have unpaid tolls and threatening legal action if you don’t pay up, you may be wondering if it’s legitimate. With the rise of scams and fraudulent activities, it’s important to be cautious and informed about what to do in such situations.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Check the Source: Before taking any action, make sure to verify the sender of the text message. Official government agencies, such as state departments of transportation or tolling authorities, typically communicate through official channels and not via text messages from unknown numbers.
2. Do Not Click on Any Links: If the text includes a link to make a payment or provide personal information, do not click on it. This could be a phishing attempt to steal your information or install malware on your device.
3. Contact the Official Agency: If you’re unsure about the legitimacy of the text message, contact the tolling authority or relevant government agency directly using their official contact information. They can confirm if you have any outstanding tolls and provide guidance on how to resolve the issue.
4. Report Suspicious Activity: If you believe you have received a scam text message, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This can help prevent others from falling victim to similar scams.
Remember to stay vigilant and cautious when receiving unsolicited messages about unpaid tolls or any other financial matters. By verifying the source and taking appropriate action, you can protect yourself from potential scams and fraud.
Tags:
- Federal warning
- Unpaid tolls
- Text message scam
- Toll payment alert
- Federal government warning
- Toll payment fraud
- Toll payment scam
- Text message fraud
- Toll payment notification
- Toll payment safety tips
#Federal #warning #text #unpaid #tolls #real
Leave a Reply