Beware of Smishing Scams Targeting Road Toll Debt

Since early March 2024, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has received over 2,000 reports detailing smishing attempts related to road toll services. These fraudulent texts mimic official messages from state toll collection agencies, urging recipients to settle outstanding toll amounts to avoid late fees.

Some people have reported receiving texts notifying them of tolls due and providing a link to one of several fraudulent websites where they can make payments. These websites are scams and are not associated with legitimate toll services like FasTrak. It's important not to click on any links provided in such texts. FasTrak does not request payment via text with a link to a website. Instead, conduct your toll-related transactions securely through www.bayareafastrak.org or by calling the FasTrak Customer Service Center at 877-BAY-TOLL (877-229-8655).

If you receive one of these suspicious texts, it's crucial to take the following steps:

1. File a complaint with the IC3: Visit www.ic3.gov and include the phone number that sent the text and the website provided in the message.
2. Verify your account: Use the official website of your toll service provider to check your account status.
3. Contact customer service: Reach out to the legitimate customer service number of your toll service provider to confirm the validity of the message.
4. Delete suspicious texts: Remove any smishing texts you receive from your phone immediately.
5. Contact your financial institution: If you have inadvertently made a payment to one of these fraudulent websites, contact your financial institution immediately to report the charges and protect your financial accounts.