Got a text from NYS tolls about an "unpaid toll balance"? It's a scam, officials warn
If you’ve received a text from New York Toll Services alerting you to an unpaid toll, ignore it.
The New York State Thruway Authority said it’s the latest in a string of so-called smishing scams.
“E-ZPass or Tolls By Mail WILL NEVER send a text or email requesting sensitive personal information such as credit card number, social security, user names, passwords, etc.,” Thruway officials warn in a social media post.
Smishing scams deploy fake text messages to trick users into downloading malware or sharing sensitive information or money with cybercriminals, according to an FBI alert issued in April.
FBI investigating smishing scams in U.S., NY
Some 2,000 complaints have been logged with the FBI since early March. The texts purport to represent toll collection services in at least three states.
Several Thruway customers received the alert in recent weeks.
#ALERT: We continue to receive reports of a smishing text scam. E-ZPass or Tolls By Mail WILL NEVER send a text or email requesting sensitive personal information such as credit card number, social security, user names, passwords, etc. For more, go https://t.co/KtbiYYkgDR. pic.twitter.com/kMigu87XZp
— New York State Thruway Authority (@NYSThruway) July 19, 2024
It typically reads like this: “New York Toll Services: We have noticed an unpaid toll invoice for your vehicle. To avoid an extra charge of $150.00, please settle your balance of $5.89 as soon as possible ... ”
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And then it gives a toll by mail address.
For more information on the Thruway Authority’s cashless tolling process go here.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Got an "unpaid toll invoice" text from NYS tolls? It's a scam
