(Undated) – The Better Business Bureau is reminding the public to be on the lookout for the latest round of “tollway scams.” The BBB says in this scam you receive a text message from what appears to be a state tollway collection service, the message says you owe a road toll fee, and includes a link to settle your balance. However, if you click the link, you may notice they are asking for sensitive personal information. If you proceed and provide your personal and payment information on the website, scammers could now have access to that information, and you may have lost some money. The BBB says if you receive such a text message you can file a report with BBB Scam Tracker to help warn others.
How to avoid text message phishing scams
— Verify your outstanding toll balance with the legitimate agency. Instead of clicking on the link in the text message, go to your web browser, find the toll service’s actual website, and log in to your account to verify if you have any outstanding toll payments. Another way to verify this is by calling the toll service’s customer service line. Do not call the phone number that texted you or any phone numbers included in the text message. Instead, find the toll service’s legitimate phone number on their website.
— Know the warning signs of a fake text. If you receive an unusual text message, there are several things to look for to help you identify if it’s fake. Read BBB’s tips on spotting the red flags of fake text messages.
— Don’t click on links or download files that are unexpectedly texted to you. It may be hard to identify if a link sent in a text message is safe. Scammers can disguise a URL to appear legitimate when it isn’t.
— Don’t give out your personal information. Phishing scams often ask you to provide personal information like your birthdate, Social Security number, and more. Never give out this information unless you are 100% certain you’re talking or working with a legitimate person or agency you can trust.
— Block the number and delete the message. Do not engage with the scammer if you think you received a fake text message. Instead, block the phone number and delete the text message. Refusing to engage and blocking the phone number can help prevent scammers from contacting you again.
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