Phishing & Smishing
Toll Road Text Scam
Fake text messages claiming you have an unpaid toll and must pay immediately to avoid late fees or license suspension.
Reported Losses
Part of $470 million in text scam losses (FTC 2024)
Primary Targets
Drivers, anyone with a phone
Last Updated
2026-01-06
Also Known As
SunPass Scam
How Scammers Contact You
How This Scam Works
You receive a text message appearing to be from your state's toll authority (SunPass, E-ZPass, FasTrak, etc.):
"You have an unpaid toll of $6.99. Pay within 24 hours to avoid a $50 late fee. Click here: [fake link]"
**What happens when you click:** - You're taken to a convincing fake website that looks like the real toll authority - You're asked to enter payment information - Scammers steal your credit card details - Some sites also ask for driver's license numbers, SSN, or other personal info
**Why it's effective:** - Small amounts seem believable - Urgency creates panic - Many people do use toll roads and worry about unpaid tolls - The scam casts a wide net via bulk text messages
Red Flags to Watch For
- ⚠️Unsolicited text about toll payment
- ⚠️Link in the text doesn't match official toll website
- ⚠️Urgency — "Pay in 24 hours or face fees"
- ⚠️Threatens license suspension or legal action
- ⚠️Asks for more info than needed (SSN, driver's license)
- ⚠️Generic message not addressing you by name
- ⚠️Phone number doesn't match official toll authority
📝 Real Victim Account
"I got a text from what I thought was SunPass saying I owed $4.15 in tolls. The link looked real. I entered my credit card to pay. Two days later, there were $2,000 in charges on my card from overseas."
— Florida Attorney General consumer complaint
How to Protect Yourself
- 1Never click links in unexpected texts about tolls
- 2Go directly to your toll authority's official website to check balances
- 3Know how your toll authority actually contacts you (usually mail)
- 4Look up the toll authority's real phone number and call them
- 5Report spam texts by forwarding to 7726 (SPAM)
- 6Don't respond to the text — even to say "STOP"
🆘 What to Do If You're a Victim
- 1If you entered payment info, contact your bank immediately
- 2Request a new credit/debit card
- 3Monitor your credit for unauthorized activity
- 4Report to FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- 5Report the text to your carrier by forwarding to 7726
- 6If you gave your SSN, consider a credit freeze
🔗 Related Scams
📚 Sources & References
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