Phishing scams worse than ever: What to watch out for
The Better Business Bureau says complaints about scam calls, texts and emails have doubled in the past year. Find out what to watch for.
Scripps News
An SMS scam targeting road tolls has resurfaced, claiming people owe money for unpaid bills.
An example of the scam text people may receive reads as follows: “Pay your FastTrak Lane tolls by February 13, 2025. To avoid a fine and keep your license, you can pay at https://ezdrivema.com-xlk.vip/i/. (Please reply Y, then exit the text message and open it again to activate the link, or copy the link into your Safari browser and open it).”
USA TODAY staff in Washington D.C. and Miami confirmed receiving the text messages this week. The FBI National Press Office did not immediately respond when contacted by USA TODAY regarding the latest possible scam on Thursday.
Last April, the FBI reported receiving more than 2,000 complaints reporting smishing scams representing toll road collection services in three states.
What is ‘smishing’?
“Smishing” is a social engineering attack that uses fake text messages to trick people into download malware, sharing sensitive information or sending money to hackers, according to IBM. The term is a combination of “SMS” or “short message service” and “phishing,” a umbrella term for social engineering attacks.
What to do if you receive a toll road scam text
If you receive a toll road text message you suspect could be a scam, the FBI previously suggested to do the following:
- File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and be sure to include the phone number where the text originated and the website listed in the text.
- Do not click the link in the text and be sure to check your toll account on the legitimate toll service website. You can also contact the toll service’s legitimate customer service phone number.
- Delete any smishing texts.
- If you did click the link or provide any information, the FBI recommends to take efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts, and to dispute any unfamiliar charges.
Contributing: Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
