A scam targeting California toll road drivers has triggered an alert by the state’s attorney general, warning them to beware of texts requesting payment.
Scammers are sending messages posing as FasTrak, the state’s electronic toll system, telling users they have overdue toll charges, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a July 1 press release.
The messages contain a link to pay, but officials say they’re fake because FasTrak doesn’t ask for payment that way.
“Scammers are often quite literally in our pockets, just a text away. Text-based toll charge scams are on the rise and knowing what to look for is an important way to keep consumers safe against these tactics,” Mr. Bonta said.
Just clicking the link, even without paying, could be dangerous because it could lead to what’s known as a phishing attack in which a scammer tries to get your personal information, the press release said.
Anyone receiving such a text should independently check with the toll agency, either on the website or with a phone call, but not using contact information on the text, the release said. It added that suspect texts should be reported and deleted.
If it’s already too late, complaints can be filed with Mr. Bonta’s office, the FBI, or the Federal Trade Commission. Any unrecognized charges can be disputed with your bank.
“I urge Californians to take practical steps to guard against being victimized by scammers, including talking to friends and family who may be unaware of these dangers,” Mr. Bonta said.