The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is encouraging people to be on alert for a text-message scam, also known as “smishing,” that is sending requests for payment of outstanding toll charges.
The FBI recently issued a warning about the scam, which has occurred in various states and does not specifically target E-ZPass customers.
Since March, people across the country have submitted complaints to the FBI about receiving text messages representing toll-road collection services that claim they owe money for unpaid tolls. The link in the text message impersonates a toll facility’s or collection service’s name, and phone numbers appear to change between states. By clicking on the link, people could risk giving away sensitive data, including credit-card information.
To date, VDOT is not aware of any Virginia residents who have received these smishing messages. Should people receive an unsolicited text message suggesting it is from E-ZPass Virginia or a specific toll facility in Virginia, they should not click on the link, officials warned.
Anyone receiving these text messages should reach out directly to appropriate facility to verify authenticity. E-ZPass account holders and toll customers can check their accounts and pay tolls by going to tollroadsvirginia.com or ezpassva.com.
People also may visit tollroadsvirginia.com/home/con
Those who believe they received a smishing text about past-due tolls can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. Complainants should include the phone number of the text message as well as the Web link listed within the text.
