Texas DPS Warns Nationwide of Toll Scam Texts

Authorities are issuing warnings about a surge in scam text messages falsely claiming that recipients owe money for unpaid road tolls. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have noted that these fraudulent messages, often personalized to appear as if they are from local toll services, exploit trust in SMS communication and can lead to identity theft. Scammers use tactics like threatening excessive late fees to prompt quick responses, encouraging recipients to click on malicious links or provide sensitive personal information. Law enforcement officials across various states, including Kansas and Ohio, have advised residents to ignore these messages, report them as spam, and avoid making payments through unconventional methods like gift cards or cryptocurrencies. Victims are urged to secure their financial data and monitor their accounts for any suspicious activity. As this type of scam, known as