VDOT cautions people of fraudulent text scams

RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is encouraging people to be on alert for a text message scam, also known as smishing, that is sending requests for payment of outstanding toll charges.

The FBI recently issued a warning about the scam, which has occurred in various states and does not specifically target E-ZPass customers.  

Since March, people across the country submitted complaints to the FBI about receiving text messages representing toll road collection services claiming they owe money for unpaid tolls. The link in the text message is created to impersonate a toll facility’s or collection service’s name, and phone numbers appear to change between states. By clicking the link, people could risk giving away sensitive data, including credit card information.

To date, VDOT is not aware of Virginia residents receiving these smishing messages.

Should anyone receive an unsolicited text message suggesting it is from E-ZPass Virginia or a specific toll facility in Virginia, they should not click on the link.

If anyone receives these text messages, they should reach out directly to appropriate facility to verify authenticity. E-ZPass account holders and toll customers can check their accounts and pay tolls by going to the Toll Roads in Virginia website and E-ZPass website. People may also contact customer service representatives for the appropriate facility to validate their toll balance along with upcoming or past due payments.

Those who believe they received a smishing text about tolls due can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov and include the phone number of the text message as well as the web link listed within the text.