[ad_1]
Some Southern Californians have received text messages threatening legal action and financial penalties if recipients don’t pay toll lane fees.
It’s a road I don’t really want to take.
This message, which may seem legitimate at first glance, is being received by people across California. It asks recipients to tap the link and pay the toll lane fee to “avoid excessive late fees and potential legal action.” Some of the links include the names of public institutions.
It’s actually a phishing scam.
A representative for FasTrak, an electronic toll collection system, told NBC Bay Area that the text appears to be a ruse to obtain credit card information. FasTrak has confirmed that this message is false.
In early December, Orange County Toll Road issued a warning to users about phishing texts. Transportation Corridor Agencies, which operates the toll road, said it had received a barrage of calls and visits about the document.
Last week, Metro advised ExpressLanes users not to respond to phishing texts.
“ExpressLanes’ systems were not hacked and no customer information was compromised,” the agency said. “Metro ExpressLanes would like to remind our customers that we will never send text messages that request sensitive information or request payment. If a text message claims to be from Metro ExpressLanes regarding a toll plaza or violation, If you receive one, do not reply to the message or use any links within the message. Do not use the contact information provided in the message.”
There are some red flags.
🚨Scam Alert🚨
The Toll Road Authority is advising drivers to ignore fraudulent phishing emails sent to their mobile phones with details of certain unpaid tolls. Toll Road does not send text messages to anyone other than the account holder. pic.twitter.com/OEC3fDxVpN
— Toll Roads (@TheTollRoads) December 23, 2024
The phone number associated with the text message is located in the Philippines. Additionally, the link does not direct users to the official FasTrak page. In some cases, your phone number may be longer than the standard 10-digit number in the United States.
FasTrak said it does not text users about billing issues.
FasTrak is a service that allows Californians to pay toll bridges, lanes, and roads without having to stop at a toll plaza. This service uses a transponder installed in the vehicle associated with your FasTrak account.
There are five FasTrak toll plazas in Southern California. These are Freeway Metro Express Lanes 10 and 110, Express Lane 91, Riverside Express 15, Express Lane 15, Expressway 125, and Orange County Toll Roads.
The FBI said similar toll fraud has been identified in other states. Fake toll bills can be reported to federal authorities at ic3.gov.
[ad_2]
Source link
