WASHINGTON, DC (LOOTPRESS) – A growing wave of text message scams falsely claiming unpaid toll fees is emerging as a major fraud trend, tricking victims into sharing financial information or downloading malware.
The scam, known as “smishing”—a combination of “SMS” (short messaging service) and “phishing”—exploits the rise of cashless toll billing and the increasing use of mobile phones for financial transactions. By sending fraudulent messages, scammers not only extract money from victims but also gain access to their devices, potentially stealing sensitive financial data or identities.
In 2024, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 60,000 complaints about the unpaid toll scam. The Federal Trade Commission, the FBI, state governments, and transit agencies nationwide have issued warnings about the risk.
Text fraud extends beyond toll fees and includes fake alerts about unpaid phone or credit card bills, undelivered packages, and even fraudulent cybersecurity warnings. Many of these schemes are operated by large international criminal syndicates, using advanced software to mass-send scam messages.
John Goodwin, assistant director of communications at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which oversees toll points in parts of the San Francisco Bay Area, said the scam has been evolving. “We have been bedeviled by these scams for over a year now,” Goodwin said. “The scamsters kind of mutate every few weeks with different messages. The messaging has become more sophisticated and more aggressive over time.”
Investigating these cases is challenging, as most messages originate from international numbers, making law enforcement efforts highly dependent on global cooperation. Veteran cybercrime investigator J. Michael Skiba, who has worked with the FBI, United Nations, and Interpol, said the crimes are likely underreported. Many victims either feel embarrassed or consider their losses too minor to report.
“I personally think it is astronomical,” Skiba said. “I think it would be so alarming to know the true cost.”
Authorities advise the public to be cautious of unexpected text messages demanding payment and to verify toll fees directly through official government or transportation websites.
