Text Messages About Unpaid Tolls and What You Need to Know

You may have received a text message about an unpaid toll, but do you know what it means and what you need to do?

These messages are often automated and sent by tolling authorities or collection agencies. They can be a bit alarming, but they're usually just a notification that you owe money for a toll you didn't pay.

You have a few options to pay the toll, including online, by phone, or by mail, depending on the tolling authority.

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If you receive a text message about an unpaid toll, be cautious and take a closer look. Here are some red flags to watch out for.

Unexpected messages can be a major red flag. If you haven't used toll roads recently, a text out of the blue is likely a scam. Scammers often send mass texts hoping to catch someone off guard.

Generic greetings are another warning sign. If the message says "Dear Customer" instead of your name or vehicle information, it's probably a scam. Legitimate agencies usually include specific details about your account.

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Be wary of suspicious links. These texts almost always include a link, urging you to click and pay right away. The link might look official, but it usually leads to a fake payment portal designed to steal your credit card or personal information.

Pressure to act immediately is a common scam tactic. Government agencies or toll authorities won't demand immediate action through text messages. They'll give you time to pay or respond.

Poor grammar and spelling errors are a dead giveaway. Official correspondence is typically well-written, so if the text is full of typos or awkward language, it's likely fake.

Here are the red flags in a quick reference list:

Smishing, a type of phishing that uses text messages, rose by 22% in the third quarter of 2024.

Scammers are impersonating entities that weren't previously frequent targets, such as gas and electric companies, and municipal ticket payment agencies.

New York City's congestion pricing on certain roads started on January 5, and within a few days, drivers were getting scam texts about unpaid tolls.

Smishing texts also erupted last spring, with messages seeking payment of an "outstanding toll amount", the FBI said.

Scammers are trying to get people to provide payment information or open links with viruses in their texts.

Teresa Murray, director of the consumer watchdog program at U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), says scammers adapt their tactics to take advantage of events and profit from moments of confusion.

Families on long road trips during spring break or a summer vacation are being targeted with similar ploys.