Officials of various states warn people about a sprink involving a fraudulent road toll Payment applications. The scam has been informed in Ohio and Virginia, where drivers receive text messages from Scammers who claim that they owe unpaid toll rates.
On Monday, the Virginia Department of Transport (VDOT) published a warning through Facebook, reminding the drivers that government agencies will never send invoices through text messages.
“Virginiadmv does not do this! Do not click the links or provide financial information through text messages,” department He wrote.
According to ABC 13The scam asks the recipients to follow a link and pay an alleged unpaid toll. A similar scheme occurs in Ohio, where drivers have received identical text messages after the implementation of the status of their E-Zpass toll system by 2024, by The Dispatch Columbus.
Following the launch of the new system, Ohio provided drivers a grace period to adjust -suspending all late rates, collections and records for unpaid tolls. When the grace period ended in February, the Turnpike resumed late rates for unpaid tolls. Ohio officials continue to emphasize that toll bills are always sent by email, never through text messages.
Drivers are asked to click on suspicious links and to keep them cautious, as scammers often create a false sense of emergency to pressure victims to make hasty decisions. Officials advise people to verify toll charges directly by contacting the toll agency through an official telephone number or a legitimate Government website.
At Ohio, drivers can access the Ohio Turnpike website o Contact e-zpass via www.ezpassoh.com or by calling (440) 971-2222.
Drivers can report unwanted texting messages by removing them at 7726 (spam). The FBI also advises to report suspicious activities through its Crime complaints center.
