A scam targeting California toll road drivers has triggered an alert by the state’s attorney general, warning them to beware of texts requesting payment.
The messages contain a link to pay, but officials say they’re fake because FasTrak doesn’t ask for payment that way.
“Scammers are often quite literally in our pockets, just a text away. Text-based toll charge scams are on the rise and knowing what to look for is an important way to keep consumers safe against these tactics,” Mr. Bonta said.
Just clicking the link, even without paying, could be dangerous because it could lead to what’s known as a phishing attack in which a scammer tries to get your personal information, the press release said.
Anyone receiving such a text should independently check with the toll agency, either on the website or with a phone call, but not using contact information on the text, the release said. It added that suspect texts should be reported and deleted.
“I urge Californians to take practical steps to guard against being victimized by scammers, including talking to friends and family who may be unaware of these dangers,” Mr. Bonta said.
