SCAM AWARENESSFake toll payment texts
Fake toll payment texts claim you owe a small amount for driving on a toll road and must pay right away to avoid fines. The link leads to a fake payment page built to steal your card number and personal details. These texts go out to huge lists of people, including many who never drove on a toll road at all.
How this scam works
The text usually names a real-sounding toll service and says you have an unpaid balance, often just a few dollars. It warns that late fees will be added, or that your license or registration could be affected, if you don't pay by a deadline that is often the same day. A link takes you to a website made to look like a real toll agency.
On that page you are asked to enter your name, address, card number and sometimes your driver's license number. The small amount makes it feel harmless, but the real goal is your card details and identity. Some fake pages also ask for a one-time code sent to your phone, which can let scammers approve charges or get into your accounts.
What it can look like
EXAMPLE · NOT A REAL MESSAGENOTICE: Our records show an outstanding toll balance of $6.85 on your vehicle. To avoid a $50 late fee and possible license suspension, pay by 11:59 PM today: [link]
Warning signs
- A text about a toll you don't remember, or for a state you didn't visit
- A deadline of today, with late fees or license threats
- A link with an odd or misspelled web address
- The message came from an unknown number or an email address
- The payment page asks for your driver's license number or a one-time code
- The text has no account number or details about where the toll happened
How to protect yourself
- Don't tap links in unexpected toll texts, even if the amount is small.
- Check any balance by typing in the toll agency's website yourself or using its official app.
- If you have a toll account, look for alerts there rather than in random texts.
- Use your phone's "report junk" option to report the text, then delete it.
- Never enter a one-time code from a text into a page you reached from a link.
If you already responded
- Call the number on the back of your card right away and ask to dispute the charge and get a new card.
- Watch your card and bank statements closely for any charges you don't recognize.
- If you entered your driver's license number or other ID details, visit IdentityTheft.gov for a step-by-step recovery plan.
- If you entered a one-time code, contact that company, change your password, and check for changes to your account.
- Consider placing a free fraud alert or credit freeze with the three credit bureaus.
- Report the text to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Get step-by-step recovery help →
Where to report it
Common questions
Do toll agencies send text messages about unpaid tolls?
Some toll agencies send texts to people who signed up for alerts, but a surprise text with a payment link is a common scam. The safe way to check is to go to the toll agency's website or app yourself, or call a number from a past bill, and look up your account there.
What if I already clicked the link but didn't pay?
Close the page and don't enter anything. Simply opening the page is usually less risky than entering information, but keep your phone's software updated and watch for odd account activity. If you typed in any personal details, take the steps for identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov.
How do I report a fake toll text?
Use the report junk option in your phone's messaging app, which helps your carrier block similar texts. You can also report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. After you report it, delete the text so you don't tap the link by accident later.