SunPass warns drivers about fake text messages claiming tolls are due
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Officials are issuing a warning to Tampa Bay-area drivers after reports that someone is sending out text messages that appear to be from SunPass in order to shake down customers for payments and personal information.
Linda Smith, a Tampa resident, received two of the fake messages, which claimed she owed money for tolls, and if she didn’t pay up, she’d get a hefty fee.
“The first one was for $3,” Smith said. “The second one was for like $11.”
Smith clicked on the link thinking it was legitimate.
“It took me in, asked me if I was a robot and then once I entered those questions, it took me to a site that said it was the toll company,” Smith said.
After realizing something was off, she called SunPass to report it.
“You wouldn’t know that it wasn’t real,” Smith said. “I mean, it took you to a real website and the lady said in Tallahassee, she didn’t know how they were doing it because it was so real.”
SunPass posted an urgent alert on its site notifying drivers about the fake messages.
FDOT also sent information to News Channel 8 about the recent trend.
“Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies across the country over the past several days and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has issued a public service announcement warning the public about these scams,” a Florida Department of Transportation spokesperson said in a statement. “These messages were not sent by SunPass. Please note that SunPass does not ask customers via text to make a payment or to take immediate action on their account.”
According to FDOT, if SunPass needs to contact its customers, it will appear as follows:
Email: customerservice@sunpass.com or noreply@sunpass.com or Text: 786727
If customers have any questions, they can contact the Customer Service team directly at: 1-888-TOLL-FLA for assistance.
SunPass encourages those who receive a fraudulent text to file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
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