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.