Don’t let “fake tolls” take a toll on your bank account

MADISON, Wis (CIVIC MEDIA) – If you haven’t been on a toll-way recently, but you have received a text warning of an unpaid toll and possible legal action, you are not alone.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is alerting consumers to an influx of scam text messages claiming to come from a tolling agency collecting overdue fees and they are targeting Wisconsin cell phone numbers

Overdue toll text scammers appear to be targeting Wisconsin consumers with “final reminder” messages that say they are from E-ZPass or the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

The messages include a link to pay outstanding balances right away to avoid penalties and legal actions. Some the wording can be quite threatening, alluding to legal recourse you may face if not paid in full immedicably.

If opened, the link leads to a website which is an imposter toll payment portal that looks legitimate but is controlled by a scammer.

To avoid text scams about fake overdue toll fees, consumers should remember the following:

Slow down. There is no need to rush to click on links or respond to the text. Scammers want to scare consumers into reacting quickly before they get a chance to pause and consider the possibility of a scam.

Check with the tolling agency directly if they have recently traveled in a tolling area and are concerned they may owe toll fees. Consumers should contact the state’s tolling agency using a legitimate phone number or website, avoiding using any contact information provided by the suspicious text message.

Avoid engaging with the message. Simply report it and delete it. Unwanted messages are often sent by scammers. The best way to prevent a scam is to avoid interacting with it entirely.

Paying a scammer could result in consumers losing their money or scammers accessing their personal information.

Consumers are encouraged to report suspicious calls, texts, and phone numbers to their service provider using their smartphone’s built-in reporting options.

For more information and consumer protection resources or to file a complaint, visit DATCP’s Consumer Protection webpage at ConsumerProtection.wi.gov or contact the Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128 or [email protected].

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Information for this article originated from Wisconsin DATCP

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