FBI Issues Warning About Pervasive Scam Spreading Across US

The ’smishing' involves criminals sending text messages with fake notices about upaid toll bills to collect sensitive data.
FBI Issues Warning About Pervasive Scam Spreading Across US
A woman uses her iPhone in a file photo. Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images
Jack Phillips
Updated:

The FBI and other state agencies have sent out alerts warning people about “smishing” scams spreading across the United States that lure users in with text messages about unpaid toll bills.

In a notice earlier this month, the law enforcement bureau said that it has received 2,000 reports from people that they have received text message phishing, or smishing.

These are texts that claim to represent “road toll collection service from at least three states” and “may be moving from state-to-state.”

Most phishing scams are done through email, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which notes that smishing scams are sent via text messages.

An example of a scam text message includes the state toll agency or service name and the message: “We’ve noticed an outstanding toll amount of $12.51 on your record. To avoid a late fee of $50.00, visit [website address] to settle your balance.”

That alleged toll amount “is similar among the complaints reported to” the agency, but the aforementioned link provided within the text is created to impersonate the state’s toll service name, and phone numbers appear to change between states.”

“If you clicked any link or provided your information, take efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts. Dispute any unfamiliar charges,” the FBI notice said, adding that users should then check their toll account via the website or call the toll agency’s phone number.

The agency advises people to report the texts to the FBI’s IC3 and then delete any of the smishing texts.

A typical scam may appear to be a text message sent from a bank and will include a link or phone number to click on or call, respectively, to obtain sensitive data such as credit card information or a Social Security number.

“Validate any suspicious texts. If you get a text purportedly from a company or government agency, check your bill for contact information or search the company or agency’s official website.

“Call or email them separately to confirm whether you received a legitimate text. A simple web search can thwart a scammer,” the FCC says on its website.
People who believe they were victims of a smishing scam are advised to report it to law enforcement. They can also file a complaint with the FCC.

State Agencies Issue Warnings

The FBI notice did not name the states impacted by the toll-related scams. However, agencies in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, and Ohio have sent out warnings on social media.
On April 23, the Virginia Department of Transportation, in a release, said that people should “be on alert for a text message scam” regarding toll charges, and that “should anyone receive an unsolicited text message suggesting it is from E-ZPass Virginia or a specific toll facility in Virginia, they should not click on the link.

“If anyone receives these text messages, they should reach out directly to the appropriate facility to verify authenticity,” the agency said.

“Some customers have received phishing-attempt text messages claiming to be from the PA Turnpike’s toll services,” reads a recent X post from the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

“If you receive such a text, providing you with a link to pay an outstanding toll, do not click on the link, and delete the text.”

The Ohio Turnpike on April 22 also warned about the scam, saying in a release that the E-ZPass system does not collect tolls through text messages or issue violations via texts.

“The targeted phone numbers seem to be chosen at random and are not uniquely associated with an account or usage of toll roads,” the release noted.

Jack Phillips
Jack Phillips
Breaking News Reporter
Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter who covers a range of topics, including politics, U.S., and health news. A father of two, Jack grew up in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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