“Wait…DID I miss that toll?” Scammers take aim at consumers via fake toll text messages.
Scammers are targeting drivers with convincing—but fraudulent—toll payment notices, authorities warn. The schemes typically arrive as text messages that appear to come from legitimate agencies. With more toll systems going cashless, this new wave of scams has dramatically increased as drivers are left to wonder, “did I really miss that toll?”
Comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2025, there has been a 604% increase in the amount of toll scams according to Consumer Affairs.
How the Scam Starts:
The scam involves “phishing” technology where text messages are sent out to thousands of people at once, hoping that you take the bait and make the payment.
Victims are told they owe unpaid tolls and must pay immediately to avoid fines. The messages typically include a link to a fake payment site designed to steal personal and financial information. Some even reference the driver’s license plate or claim a specific violation date to appear more credible. To date, at least 60,000 scam domains have been discovered. These are fake sites meant to imitate legitimate toll sites and steal your debit or credit card information. In some cases, scammers have been spotted placing fake QR code stickers at rest stops or toll locations, redirecting drivers to fraudulent portals.
How it’s Affecting Consumers:
The FBI says the number of dollars lost to scammers via toll scams is difficult to know due the amount of underreporting and international coordination efforts of the scammers. Although not confirmed, some research indicates these scams may be tied to Chinese criminal organizations. Tennessee reported more than $190 million dollars in fraud in 2024 to all tech-related scams like toll scams, with senior citizens accounting for one-third of those losses. In California, a man lost $3,300 to a toll text scam after driving home from a heart procedure. Because he had recently driven through a tollway, he entered his debit card information onto the fake website. The next day, his card information was used for $3,300 in online shopping.
How to Avoid the Scam:
Officials advise motorists to avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages. Instead, visit the toll agency’s official website or call their published customer service number to confirm any charges. Real toll agencies will never demand payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other unusual methods.
Consumers who receive suspicious notices should report them to their state toll authority and to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
What to do if you suspect a scam:
If you’ve been a victim of this scam, you should immediately call your financial institution to stop any future unauthorized charges as well as get a new debit or credit card issued. You should also report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov as well as the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. We recommend talking about the scam to a trusted friend or family member as they may be able to steer you towards additional resources you may not be aware of due to the potential trauma from the incident. Keeping the information to yourself only protects the scammer.