Better Business Bureau warns of road toll scams ahead of summer travel

QUINCY (WGEM) – With summer approaching and road traffic picking up, drivers are encouraged to be aware of scam texts for toll roads.

The Better Business Bureau has reported phishing text messages that are impersonating toll collections services to trick people into paying for fake toll roads.

These texts will state that you owe a toll payment of a certain amount around $12, if you do not pay the bill within time, they threaten to increase that amount to a larger number around $50.

If you are to click on the link sent via text, your personal information and money can be at risk.

“They want you to act before you can think, we want you to think before you act.” said Don O’Brien, regional director of the Quincy Better Business Bureau.

“They’re hoping you’ve been on the road and you have been places not familiar to you, and you think ‘oh my gosh I may have been on a toll road, I need to pay this because I don’t want to pay more than I should.” said O’Brien

If you receive such a text message you can file a report with BBB Scam Tracker. You can also file a report with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.

Drivers are cautioned to be aware of the roads that they are on and the sources of these text messages to avoid these scams.

How to avoid text message phishing scams, according to the BBB:

• Verify your outstanding toll balance with the legitimate agency. Instead of clicking on the link in the text message, go to your web browser, find the toll service’s actual website, and log in to your account to verify if you have any outstanding toll payments. Another way to verify this is by calling the toll service’s customer service line. Do not call the phone number that texted you or any phone numbers included in the text message. Instead, find the toll service’s legitimate phone number on their website.
• Know the warning signs of a fake text. If you receive an unusual text message, there are several things to look for to help you identify if it’s fake. Read BBB’s tips on spotting the red flags of fake text messages.
• Don’t click on links or download files that are unexpectedly texted to you. It may be hard to identify if a link sent in a text message is safe. Scammers can disguise a URL to appear legitimate when it isn’t.
• Block the number and delete the message. Do not engage with the scammer if you think you received a fake text message. Instead, block the phone number and delete the text message. Refusing to engage and blocking the phone number can help prevent scammers from contacting you again.

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