Cybercriminals have returned with another wave of fraudulent text messages in a bid to hoodwink unsuspecting Americans. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has sounded an urgent alarm in regard to a highly proliferating scam wherein recipients are tricked into paying fake toll charges. If you get such a text, delete it immediately—do not engage or click on any links.
What is the Toll Payment Text Scam?
This fraud, in some circles referred to as “smishing” or SMS phishing, involves scam messages claiming that one owes money for road tolls. These messages usually contain a link to pay the amount, posing as real toll service providers, and request that one pay the amount lest they incur some penalties. However once tapped, it may lead to financial theft, identity fraud, and exposure of personal information.
Why This Scam Is So Dangerous
It gets even worse: according to the FTC, these text scams rob not only money but also sensitive personal data such as driver’s license numbers and credit card details, furthering the actions of identity theft or transactions. Victims very seldom notice something fishy after unauthorized charges show up against their bank or a new account pops out of nowhere in their names.
How Widespread Is the Scam?
In fact, it is reported that this scam has been identified in Massachusetts, California, North and South Carolina, Illinois, Colorado, and Florida. Law enforcement officials believe that it is spreading rapidly, with new incidents surfacing nearly every day.
Who Are The Perpetrators Of These Attacks?
Investigations show Chinese cybercriminals are using off-the-shelf phishing kits to impersonate toll collection services around the United States. These same actors have targeted victims in a similar fashion pretending to be tax agencies, immigration services, and shipping companies.
How to Protect Yourself
The FBI and cybersecurity experts recommend the following precautions:
Check with your tolling agency directly via their website or customer service. If you’ve received a suspicious text that claims you haven’t paid your tolls, do not click any links or respond to the message. Delete the message so that you won’t accidentally interact with it. If you think you’ve been targeted, review your financial accounts for unauthorized transactions.
Report the Scam: Contact the IC3 or your state’s toll authority with a complaint.
Conclusion
Smishing scams are getting increasingly sophisticated. Always question a message that is unsolicited-most especially if the message asks you to pay money or give information about yourself. By taking the FBI’s recommendation and keeping good caution, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these digital fraudsters.
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