I’m going to go right to the point: there’s a new text message scam going around, and it’s mostly going after older people.
You may have already seen it: a simple text that says you owe money for a toll that you didn’t pay. Maybe $12.51. It looks legitimate, the link seems real, and the tone is urgent: “pay now or face extra charges.” But it’s a trick. And it’s surprising a lot of folks, especially older people who believe that kind of message.
Over the past few months, I’ve been following this tale. The FTC, AARP, and FBI have all told people to be careful. The fraud isn’t just a pain. It’s about you. It looks like something from your state’s toll system. It uses the name of your city, and sometimes even your license plate. You could be giving away private information without even knowing it if you click that link.
Why older people? Scammers know that you are more likely to respond, pay, and not question something that looks legitimate.
This post will explain everything you need to know if you or someone you care about has gotten one of these texts. It will explain how the scam works, how to detect it, what to do next, and how to stay ahead of it in the future.
Let’s go over it together, because the first step to remaining safe is to know what to do.
A question for you: Have you or someone in your family gotten one of these texts in the last few days? What did it say? If you scroll down, you’ll know exactly what to do.
What Exactly Is the Toll Text Scam?
Scammers are adopting a type of fraud called “smishing,” which is a mix of “SMS” (text message) and “phishing” (tricking someone into giving away personal information). The toll text scam is a perfect example.
Usually, it starts with a message that says something like this:
- “You owe $12.51 in tolls.” “Pay now to avoid more late fees: [fake link]”
It looks real on the surface. The message says:
- References that are specific to a place, like naming the state you’re in
- Names like “E-ZPass Toll Services” or “State Toll Division” that sound like an agency
- Links that seem like legitimate websites and look professional
How the scam works, step by step
- A SMS message says you owe a tiny toll sum.
- The message has a URL in it that is typically truncated or made to look like a real toll authority site.
When you click the link, you go to a fake webpage. It might ask for your:
- Name
- Address
- The number on the license plate
- Information about credit and debit cards
Once you enter this information, it is collected and typically utilized right away or sold on the dark web.
Some versions also put spyware or malware on your phone.
In a lot of cases, the message seems like it came from a local number, or even worse, from an international code like +63 (Philippines), which should be a big red flag right away.
Why It’s So Risky
- It looks safe: Just a modest charge. Most folks won’t think twice.
- It feels urgent because the notice says there will be late penalties or legal action.
- It looks like it’s from the area: The fraud employs local lingo and fake websites to make it look real.
- It’s changing: CNBC says that even big phone companies and platforms like Apple and Google have a hard time stopping these scam messages from getting to people’s inboxes.
Sources That Prove This Scam
- FTC.gov says that “legitimate tolling agencies do not collect payments or send alerts via unsolicited text messages.”
- Because of technical restrictions and the fast growth of scams, CNBC says that phone operating systems can’t filter out all scam SMS.
- People.com says that the FBI says you should delete any messages about tolls right away and not click on any links.
Why Are Seniors Being Targeted?
This swindle isn’t by chance. It’s aimed at certain people, and seniors are at the top of the list. Here’s why scammers are going after senior people in particular:
1. More faith in authority
A lot of older people grew up when people took government instructions seriously and didn’t challenge them very much. A message that seems like it came from a state toll authority? Most people will think it’s real.
- Amy Nofziger, a fraud expert at AARP, says, “Seniors trust institutions more, which makes them a good target for scammers.”
— An story from AARP Utah
2. Less Knowledge of Digital Threats
Not all older people are good at identifying digital red lights. They might not:
- Know how to spot a fraudulent link
- Understand how spoofing works
- Use filters for text or scam blocks
- Know what smishing is
This leaves a technological gap that scammers take advantage of.
Seniors are often targeted in similar scams while traveling—learn how to avoid them in our guide on travel scams targeting older adults.
3. Fewer people using autopay or toll apps
A lot of older people don’t use applications to pay tolls. So, someone who pays by hand or by mail is more likely to believe a notice regarding a missed payment.
4. More likely to click and follow through
The Gerontologist released a study that indicated older persons are more inclined to follow through with communications that are urgent or based on fear, especially when they have to do with money, the government, or law enforcement.
5. Scammers Share Lists of Targets That Work
When one scam works on an older person, the phone number often goes up on “hit lists” that other scammers buy. This leads to more efforts from different angles.
Red Flags – How to Spot a Toll Text Scam Before It’s Too Late
Scammers are growing smarter, but you can too. These texts that seem like official toll scams almost always follow the same pattern. What to look for is:
1. Language that is not clear or specific
“You owe a toll”
No mention of your name, license plate, or the toll authority? That’s a big red flag.
2. Links that look suspicious
Scammers commonly utilize domains like these:
- ezpass-billing.co
- toll-pay-now.com
- mytollsecure.com
These look like legitimate agency URLs, however there are small deviations. Real agencies, like E-ZPass, use .gov or official toll system domains. Always look before you click.
Add a comparison of screenshots of real and phony toll messages (you may get them from The Sun Tech story).
3. Deadlines or threats that are urgent
Look for ways to terrify people, like
- “Last chance before going to court”
- “Extra fines will be added”
- “Your account will be put on hold”
Scammers want you to be scared and do things without thinking.
4. Strange Phone Numbers
A lot of scam SMS originate from:
- International codes such as +63 for the Philippines or +44 for the UK
- Fake U.S. numbers with bad formatting or short codes
5. Strange Toll Amounts
Scammers typically choose strange, exact amounts like $12.51 or $4.89 to make their scams look authentic. Real toll agencies don’t often issue text bills for modest sums.
6. Bad grammar or misspellings
This is a clear sign. Real government or state entities don’t send texts with lousy grammar, mistakes, or phrases that don’t make sense.
Real-Life Examples – How the Scam Plays Out
Understanding how this scam unfolds in real life can help you recognize it faster and avoid falling into the trap. Here are some verified examples reported by users and media sources.
Example 1: “E-ZPass Notice” Scam Message
Text received:
“You have an unpaid toll of $12.51. Avoid additional charges (Fake Link)
— Reported to the FTC
The link redirected users to a fake payment page that looked exactly like the real E-ZPass site but was hosted on a .co domain. Many people unknowingly entered personal info.
Example 2: Facebook Post from AARP
“A legitimate toll road service will never text you asking for payment through a link.”
— AARP Facebook page
This post came after a spike in scam reports targeting seniors in multiple states. It gained traction as families began warning each other publicly.
Example 3: Victim Story in USA Today
USA Today highlighted a case where a 71-year-old woman in Texas clicked a toll payment link and entered her debit card details. Within 30 minutes, over $1,400 in unauthorized purchases were made. – USA Today Article
Example 4: Reddit Thread – “Did anyone else get this toll text?”
A Reddit user in r/scams posted screenshots of a scam message they almost fell for. The top comment was from a retired cybersecurity analyst breaking down the scam line by line.
Search Reddit – r/scams “toll text” for fresh examples or include a quote from a high-engagement post.
What To Do If You Get One of These Texts
Don’t panic if you get an SMS about a toll payment and think it might be a scam. Just don’t ignore it. Do these things right away:
Step 1: Don’t Click on the Link
Even clicking can put spyware on your device or let criminals know that your number is still active.
Step 2: Take a Picture
For documentation, write down the message, the sender’s number, and the URL. This might help:
- Tell someone about the scam
- Tell other people
- If something happens later, give proof.
Step 3: Tell someone about the scam
- To the FTC: Visit reportfraud.ftc.gov
- To your State Toll Agency: Many tolling agencies, such as E-ZPass, have pages that warn customers of scams and ask them to report any messages that seem strange.
- To your wireless carrier: Send the hoax SMS to 7726, which is the number for “SPAM” on a keypad. This is supported by most major carriers.
Step 4: Block the message and get rid of it.
Once you have written it down, block the number and get rid of the message. Don’t answer it, even to say “Stop” or “Unsubscribe.”
The FTC’s official warning says that any contact with the number indicates that it is live and may lead to more scam attempts.
Step 5: Do a Device Scan (if you clicked)
If you clicked the link:
- Scan your phone for malware with its built-in security app or a reliable antivirus program.
- Change any passwords you may have used.
- Keep an eye on your bank accounts for strange behavior.
Step 6: Let other people know
Tell friends, family, and especially older relatives to be careful. Being aware of what’s going on in your town is one of the finest ways to protect yourself. By sharing this information, you can help someone else from being scammed.
If you or a loved one is on Medicare, it’s crucial to also understand how fraudsters exploit healthcare—our Medicare protection guide for seniors breaks it all down.
How to Stay Protected Going Forward
After dealing with a scam attempt, the next step is to protect yourself and your loved ones, especially elders. Here’s how to stop future attacks:
1. Turn on filters for spam and scams
Most cellphones now have built-in security:
- On an iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > “Filter Unknown Senders.”
- Android: Turn on “Spam Protection” in the Messages settings.
You can also block scams through your carrier:
- Verizon: Call Blocker
- AT&T: ActiveArmor
- T-Mobile: Scam Shield
2. Don’t ever pay bills by clicking on a link in a text.
Always go to the official website to pay your toll, energy, or phone bill. If you’re not sure:
- Manually search for the agency in Google
- Use a trusted site to call the customer service number.
3. Save the pages of the official toll agency as bookmarks
This means you don’t have to Google every time, which scammers can do with bogus adverts. For example:
4. Teach Your Friends
People who are trying to scam you hope you won’t talk about it. Talk for a little while with:
- Older parents or family members
- People who live next door
- Groups in the community
5. Keep up with the latest scam trends
Scams change frequently. Sign up for notifications from:
6. Use a password manager and two-factor authentication
If you type in a password on a fake website by mistake, updating it right away can save you. 1Password and Bitwarden are two tools that can help you make and keep strong passwords.
Bonus Tip + What Real Toll Agencies Want You to Know
Scammers are counting on one thing: that you won’t check again. But actual toll agencies know about this scam and have warned the public directly about it.
What Toll Agencies Will NEVER Do:
- Send you a text out of the blue about a toll you haven’t paid
- Send messages with links that let people pay you.
- Ask for immediate payment to prevent getting a fine or going to jail.
What They Really Do:
- Send official notices by email or regular mail, depending on what you choose in your account.
- Only let you see toll history on their official website when you log in securely
- Give out toll-free numbers for any problems or disagreements with payments
This scam is a textbook case of impersonation—check out our breakdown of government impersonation scams to stay protected across the board.
“Stay One Step Ahead of Scammers.”
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and awareness purposes only. FameTribute.com does not represent any toll authority or government agency. Always verify payment requests through official toll service websites and consult trusted sources before taking action.
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