The US government has issued a warning to all iOS and Android users about a scam involving fraudulent messages demanding payment for unpaid road tolls. The scam, flagged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is reportedly spreading across different states.
How the Scam Works
Victims receive a text message claiming to be from a toll collection agency, stating that they owe money for unpaid tolls and must make an immediate payment. The message includes a link directing them to a website where they are asked to enter their bank account or credit card details. In some cases, scammers also collect additional personal information, such as driver’s licence numbers.
With access to this data, criminals can steal funds from bank accounts and, in more severe cases, commit identity fraud.
Government Advisory
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has urged the public to be cautious and take the following steps:
Do not click on links in messages from unknown sources. Scammers create a sense of urgency by threatening consequences, such as suspending a driver’s licence, to pressure recipients into acting without verifying the claim.
Use your phone’s built-in spam reporting features. Messages can be reported as junk or forwarded to 7726 (SPAM) to alert mobile networks.
Delete the message after reporting it. Both the FBI and FTC emphasise that recipients should remove such messages from their devices once they have been flagged.
While US authorities have labelled this a new scam, cybersecurity experts note that it follows a well-known pattern of phishing fraud, where messages appear to be from legitimate agencies. Scammers rely on the fact that recipients may not recall whether they have recently travelled through a toll area, leading them to pay without verifying the demand.
Officials have reiterated that even if the amount requested seems small, the fraudsters’ real aim is to access financial accounts. Users are advised to remain vigilant and confirm toll-related payments directly with official agencies rather than through links sent via text messages.
