California warns consumers of surge in text message toll charge scams

Published on

CALIFORNIA – California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned drivers, January 2nd, of a significant increase in text-based toll scam activity. 

The texts in question claim consumers owe FasTrak express lane or toll charges, include a link to a website and ask for online payment.

According to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), since early-March 2024, it has received over 2,000 complaints reporting smishing texts representing road toll collection service from at least three states. 

Smishing – a combination of “SMS”— or “short message service,” and “phishing” is a social engineering attack using fake text messages to trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information, or sending money to cybercriminals.

Don’t click on links in texts

The toll charge scam is designed to deceive drivers into entering banking or credit card information into a website, fraudulently claiming to represent tolling agencies. 

Bonta urges Californians to not click on links in texts appearing to alert consumers to overdue toll charges. 

His office says most of these scams claim to be from FasTrak and link to a fraudulent website claiming to be run by The Toll Roads.

However, The Toll Roads and other California tolling agencies do not send text messages to non-account holders. 

What to do if a consumer clicked a link

Bonta’s office recommends if a consumer clicked any link or provided personal information, take efforts to secure the information and financial accounts. 

Also, dispute any unfamiliar charges.

To report a text-based scam to the Attorney General, visit oag.ca.gov/contact/general-contact-form

spot_img

Latest articles

SoCal resident proposes ‘Luigi Mangione Act’ to limit insurers’ ability to deny medical care

CALIFORNIA – A Southern California resident submitted a ballot initiative, March 26, aimed at...

KB Homes unveils the nation’s first fire resistant new home community in SoCal

CALIFORNIA – KB Homes unveiled, March 27, the nation’s first fire resistant new home...

Bill Gates predicts AI will replace humans. Can California ‘AI-Proof’ jobs?

CALIFORNIA – Bill Gates, Microsoft founder, recently said on the Tonight Show starring Jimmy...

Edison under investigation for potential violations related to its recent mass layoff of 79 employees

CALIFORNIA –  Strauss Borrelli PLLC, a class action law firm, announced March 26, that...

More like this

SoCal resident proposes ‘Luigi Mangione Act’ to limit insurers’ ability to deny medical care

CALIFORNIA – A Southern California resident submitted a ballot initiative, March 26, aimed at...

Edison under investigation for potential violations related to its recent mass layoff of 79 employees

CALIFORNIA –  Strauss Borrelli PLLC, a class action law firm, announced March 26, that...

Report says federal cuts could lead to a $17 billion economic loss and 140,000 job losses for CA

CALIFORNIA – A new report published by the Commonwealth Fund, on March 25, found...