How Toll Road Scams Operate
Scammers have been targeting individuals with messages or emails claiming they have an outstanding balance with a toll road service. These scammers typically use publicly available vehicle registration information to make the scam more convincing by tying it to a legitimate toll service in the victim's state.
For instance, someone with a car registered in California might receive a notice about a California toll road. The unpaid balance is often a small amount, which further adds to the scam's credibility.
Typical Scam Tactics and Threats
To pressure victims, scammers may threaten license revocation or arrest. These are baseless threats meant to scare you into paying.
If a victim falls for the scam and makes a payment, the scammer not only takes the money but might also use the fake payment portal to steal the victim’s credit card or personal information.
What to Do if You're Targeted
If you receive: a text message, simply ignore and block the number.
If you receive: an email, DO NOT open any attachments. The safest course of action is to delete the email immediately. If possible, also mark it as spam or phishing to help block future attempts.
How to Report Toll Road Scams to the FBI
Because these scams often impersonate state and federal agencies, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) encourages users to report these scams. You can submit a report here: https://www.ic3.gov/
