Text Smishing scam claiming unpaid tolls sent to local residents

LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan Department of Transportation is warning residents of a new cell phone scam that asks recipients to pay toll road fee before getting hit with late fees.

The text message claims drivers have unpaid toll fees and need to pay right away to avoid additional fees. The text includes a link to the SunPass Prepaid Toll Program.

"We've been getting phone calls from concerned folks about text messages they received claiming to be from Florida's SunPass system regarding unpaid tolls," MDOT said on social media. "Looks like this is a scam."

Anyone who receives this text message is urged not to click the link. 

"To our valued SunPass customers, please note that SunPass does not ask customers via text to make a payment or to take
immediate action on their account. If SunPass needs to contact its customers, it will appear as follows: Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Text: 786727," SunPass said in a statement.

"SunPass has been made aware that there is a phishing scam targeting the general public. To our knowledge SunPass has not been compromised and we are diligently monitoring the system. The scam uses text messages requesting prompt payment to avoid fees. The messages also contain a link to a fraudulent website in an attempt to collect information. These messages are not sent by SunPass."

The FBI shared the advice in the graphic below. 

Federal Bureau of Investigation



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