Fighting Fraud
By Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland
Toll scams are resurfacing across the United States, including in Ohio. Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages claiming recipients owe unpaid tolls and urging immediate payment.
These messages often contain links to fake websites designed to steal personal and financial information. Better Business Bureau® has the following tips to spot toll road scam texts:
- Verify your outstanding toll balance with the legitimate agency. Instead of clicking on the link in the text message, go to your web browser, find the toll service’s actual website, and log into your account to verify if you have any outstanding toll payments. Another way to verify this is by calling the toll service’s customer service line. Do not call the phone number that texted you or any phone numbers included in the text message.
- Know the warning signs of a fake text. If you receive an unusual text message, especially originating from an out-of-country area code, there are several things to look for to help you identify if it’s fake. Read BBB’s tips on spotting the red flags of fake text messages.
- Don’t click on links or download files that are unexpectedly texted to you. It may be hard to identify if a link sent in a text message is safe. Scammers can disguise a URL to appear legitimate when it isn’t.
- Don’t give out your personal information. Phishing scams often ask you to provide personal information like your birthdate, Social Security number, and more. Never give out this information unless you are 100% certain you’re talking or working with a legitimate person or agency you can trust.
- Block the number and delete the message. Do not engage with the scammer if you think you received a fake text message. Instead, block the phone number and delete the text message. Refusing to engage and blocking the phone number can help prevent scammers from contacting you again.
- If you receive a text message impersonating a road toll collection service, report it. You can file a report with BBB Scam Tracker to help warn others about this new scam, and you can search for other reports of the scam in your area. In addition, file a report with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov. Reporting scams helps consumers become aware of scams and helps law enforcement track down scammers.
For those looking to see their toll balance or have questions regarding their accounts, visit ezpassoh.com and ohioturnpike.org.
If you’ve been the victim of a scam on social media, report it to the BBB Scam Tracker. Your report helps us build consumer awareness and reduce the effectiveness of scammers’ favorite tactics. Have additional questions? Reach out to your BBB at 216.241.7678 or [email protected].
Some toll road scam texts can look like this:
They can come from random phone numbers or email addresses. Don’t click on any links.
