Fake Toll and Parking Fee Text Scams
Americans lost $470 million to text scams in 2024, according to the FTC.
Quick Answer
Fake toll and parking fee text scams, a form of smishing, trick victims into paying non-existent fees, contributing to the $470 million lost to text-based scams in 2024 (FTC).
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How It Works
1
You receive an unsolicited text message claiming you have an unpaid toll, parking ticket, or outstanding balance with a road authority like E-ZPass, SunPass, or FasTrak.
2
The message insists on immediate payment to avoid a large late fee or other penalties, creating a sense of urgency. It includes a link to a website to settle the supposed debt.
3
The link leads to a convincing but fake website designed to look like a real tolling agency's payment portal. When you enter your credit card or banking information, scammers steal it for financial fraud or identity theft.
Red Flags
- Receiving an unexpected text about a toll or parking fee, especially if you haven't recently used a toll road or parked in the specified area.
- The message uses urgent or threatening language, such as warning of a '$50.00 late fee' for a small balance.
- The URL in the text message does not match the official website of the tolling agency. Scammers often use look-alike domains.
- The text has spelling or grammatical errors and uses generic greetings like 'Dear Customer' instead of your name.
- The message comes from a standard 10-digit phone number instead of an official short code used by legitimate companies.
- The supposed debt is a small, believable amount, designed to make you pay without much thought.
What to Do If Targeted
- Do not click on any links in the text message. Clicking the link can lead to a phishing site or install malware on your device.
- Do not reply to the message. Replying confirms your number is active and can lead to more scam attempts.
- Independently verify the claim. Contact the tolling agency or parking authority directly using the phone number or website from your account statements or their official, known site—not the information provided in the text.
- Forward the entire suspicious text message to 7726 (SPAM). This helps your wireless carrier identify and block future fraudulent texts.
- Delete the text message after you have reported it.
- If you already clicked the link and provided financial information, contact your bank or credit card company immediately to report fraud and monitor your accounts for unauthorized charges.
How to Report It
- FTC — File a fraud report with the Federal Trade Commission to help them investigate and stop scammers.
- FBI IC3 — Report the smishing attempt to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), including the phone number and website from the text.
- IdentityTheft.gov — If you shared personal information and believe your identity is at risk, visit this FTC site for a personalized recovery plan.
- FCC — File a complaint about phone scams, robocalls, or unwanted calls with the Federal Communications Commission.
- AARP Fraud Helpline — Call 877-908-3360 for free support from trained fraud specialists. Available to anyone, not just AARP members.
Key Statistics
- Consumers reported losing $470 million to scams that originated from text messages in 2024. — FTC 2025
- The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 2,000 complaints about smishing texts impersonating road toll collection services from early March to mid-April 2024. — FBI IC3 2024
- Reported losses to text scams in 2024 were more than five times higher than the amount reported in 2020. — FTC 2025
- Phishing (including smishing) was the cybercrime with the most victims in the U.S. in 2023, with 298,878 individuals affected. — Upgraded Points 2024
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Frequently Asked Questions
A fake toll text scam is a fraudulent SMS message claiming you owe money for an unpaid road toll. These 'smishing' attacks contain a link to a fake website designed to steal your credit card details and personal information. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 2,000 complaints about these scams in early 2024 alone.
Legitimate toll operators typically do not use text messages as the primary method to collect on overdue accounts. Scammers impersonate real agencies like E-ZPass, FasTrak, and SunPass. Always verify any supposed violation by logging into your official account through a secure browser, not by clicking a link in a text.
Warning signs include urgent threats of late fees, grammatical errors, and links to unofficial websites. Real toll agencies will address you by name, not with a generic greeting. Scammers often demand payment for a small amount, like $12.51, to make the charge seem legitimate and not worth scrutinizing.
If you paid a scammer through a fake website, immediately contact your bank or credit card company to dispute the charge and cancel your card. You should also monitor your financial statements for any further fraudulent activity. Report the incident to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI at ic3.gov to aid law enforcement investigations.
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