The E-ZPass Group is issuing an alert to all E-ZPass customers about a text messaging scam
targeted at customers of tolling agencies across the United States. The scam aims to deceive
customers into entering their personal data and financial information to a fake website.
Customers receiving text messages claiming to be sent by “E-ZPass Toll Services” that directs them
to click a link to pay an outstanding toll balance to avoid a late fee should be aware that this message
is fraudulent. The toll account information provided in these texts is neither valid nor accurate.
E-ZPass warns customers to delete the texts immediately and do not click on any links embedded
in the text messages. Customers who have clicked the link and completed the form should
immediately contact their financial institution and notify E-ZPass of any erroneous information
posted to their accounts.
Recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a public service announcement warning
the public about a wave of fraudulent SMS texts attempting to scam toll road users. The FBI’s
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has received over 2,000 complaints reporting fraudulent
texts representing road toll collection service from at least three states. The complaint information
indicates that the scam appears to be moving from state to state. The texts claim the recipient owes
money for unpaid tolls and contain almost identical language. The “outstanding toll amount” has
been similar among the complaints reported to the IC3. However, the link provided within the text
is created to impersonate the state’s toll service name, and phone numbers appear to change
between states.
E-ZPass advises customers that if you receive one of these texts, file a complaint with the
IC3, www.ic3.gov.
“Scam attacks through emails and text messaging are on the rise in our country and protecting the
safety of E-ZPass customer information is of paramount importance to us”, stated PJ Wilkins, E-
ZPass Group Executive Director. “We will continue to work with our partnering states to alert our
customers of any criminal activity that places them at risk, and we encourage E-ZPass customers
to be vigilant in ensuring that their personal and financial information is not compromised by falling
prey to these fraudulent schemes.”
