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Across the country, state transportation agencies are warning drivers about a new wave of text mesage scams. These fradulent messages claim to be from toll payment services and falsely alert recipients about unpaid tolls or outstanding account balances. Often, the message will threaten account suspension if payment isn't made right away.
What makes these scams especially tricky is how convincing they look. The texts often appear to come from legitimate companies and direct people to click on a link. That link leads to a fake website designed to steal sensitive information like credit card numbers or login credentials. Some scammers are also sending similar messages claiming you owe parking ticket fines, using the same tactic to trick you into handing over personal details.
These are examples of "smishing" - a type of scam where criminals use text messages to impersonate trusted organizations. Their goal is to get you to click a malicious link so they can steal money, install malware, or access your private data.
Fraud attempts are becoming more sophisticated, but staying cautious and verifing any unexpected messages can help keep you safe. If you're ever unsure, give your bank a call - we're here to help you sort fact from fraud.
Learn more about imposter scams in this blog post from CNext Chief Operations Officer Lorie Hamlin.
