The Virginia Department of Transportation is once again warning about a text scam accusing people of owing money in unpaid tolls.
Drivers are receiving messages that appear to be from E-ZPass Virginia and other specific toll facilities, warning of a bill with late fees if the outstanding balance isn’t paid off. Authorities advise that if you receive a text of this nature, do not click the link and instead, contact the department’s Customer Service for verification.
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‼️ SCAM ALERT ‼️ Be alert for a text message scam that is sending requests for payment of outstanding toll charges.
— VDOT (@VaDOT) January 21, 2025
If you receive a text message that appears to be from E-ZPass Virginia or a specific toll facility, contact Customer Service to validate: https://t.co/hG4ESOPFYX pic.twitter.com/DSZs8W4biC
This is referred to as a smishing scam, where scammers use fake text messages to trick people into clicking malicious links, providing sensitive personal information or sending money to fraudsters.
VDOT issued an alert about a similar scam last year after it began circulating in various states nationwide.
If you suspect that you’ve received a scam text, you can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. Be sure to include the phone number of the text message and web link listed within the text.