- The FBI warns of a surge in scam text messages impersonating state toll agencies to steal financial information, with over 2,000 complaints in the past month.
- These "smishing" scams, reported in 10 U.S. states and Ontario, use urgent language and fake links to trick victims into sharing sensitive data.
- Cybersecurity experts link the scams to Chinese criminal gangs operating from Southeast Asian data centers, with a 900% increase in related searches.
- Officials urge recipients to avoid clicking links, report suspicious texts to the FBI’s IC3, and verify toll accounts directly with official agencies.
- Elderly and less tech-savvy individuals are particularly vulnerable, with experts emphasizing vigilance and calm to avoid falling for these scams.
The FBI is sounding the alarm on a surge in scam text messages targeting drivers across the U.S., warning Americans not to fall for fraudulent road toll collection alerts. In the past month alone, the agency has received over 2,000 complaints about these so-called “smishing” scams, which impersonate state toll agencies to steal sensitive financial information.
The texts, which have been reported in at least 10 states and Ontario, Canada, claim recipients owe unpaid tolls and threaten fines or suspended driving privileges if they don’t pay immediately. Cybersecurity experts say the scams are increasingly sophisticated, with criminals using bulk-purchased domains and evading smartphone security features to trick victims.
How the scam works
Smishing, a form of phishing that relies on SMS texts, preys on fear and urgency. The messages often include official-sounding language, such as “Your toll payment is overdue. Pay now to avoid a $50 fine.” Recipients are directed to click a link or reply with a “Y” to resolve the issue, which then prompts them to enter credit card or bank account details.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill recently warned residents about a text impersonating the state’s GeauxPass toll system. “It is a SCAM,” Murrill posted on Facebook. “If you ever receive a text that looks suspicious, be sure to never click on it. You don’t want your private information stolen by scammers.”
Even states without toll roads, like Vermont, have seen an uptick in complaints. Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark noted that travelers might mistake the scams for legitimate toll operators in other states.
Why these scams are so hard to stop
The scams are difficult to combat due to their low cost and high volume. Cybersecurity firm Trend Micro reports a 900% increase in searches for “toll road scams” over the past three months, indicating widespread impact. Jon Clay, the company’s vice president of threat intelligence, said Chinese criminal gangs are likely behind the operation, using data centers in Southeast Asia to send millions of texts.
“They are basically building big data centers in the jungle,” Clay said. “It is obviously working; they are getting victims to pay.”
While Apple and Android devices have built-in protections, such as blocking links from unknown senders, scammers are finding ways to bypass these safeguards. For example, they encourage users to reply with a “Y” to reopen the text, circumventing Apple’s security features.
What can you do?
The FBI urges anyone who receives a suspicious text to file a complaint with its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov and delete the message immediately. Cybersecurity experts also advise against engaging with the texts in any way, as even a simple reply can signal to scammers that your number is active.
Amy Bunn, an online safety advocate at McAfee, emphasized the importance of staying calm. “Scammers want people to panic, not pause,” she said. “They use fear and urgency to rush people into clicking before they spot the scam.”
As road toll text scams continue to proliferate, experts warn that the elderly and less tech-savvy individuals are particularly vulnerable. While awareness campaigns and public service announcements are helping to curb the problem, the scams remain a persistent threat. The best defense, officials say, is vigilance: never click on suspicious links, verify toll accounts directly with official agencies, and report fraudulent texts to authorities.
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