Beware toll text scam — phishing gets more sophisticated

By Jerry Knaak The Daily World • February 25, 2025 1:30 am

First it was unwanted calls from telemarketers and the implementation of the National Do Not Call Registry.

Now it’s unwanted texts and aside from the occasional wrong number, it seems like these messages are coming from scammers trying to get recipients to click on links, provide personally identifiable information and even credit card numbers.

The latest wave involves a resurgence of scam texts regarding FasTrak, E-ZPass and other toll payment and collection services. Washington uses the Good to Go! System and according to a scam alert posted at the top of its website, “Good To Go! will not request payments on any websites but MyGoodToGo.com. Do not click unknown links in emails or texts.“

Many of the originating phone numbers for these phishing texts appear to be international starting with a country code such as +44 or +63. Some appear to originate from an email address.

Commander Steve Timmons, the public information officer for the Aberdeen Police Department, said clicking on a link in one of these text messages, just like clicking on a link or opening an attachment from a suspicious email, can lead to all kinds of problems.

“If people receive a message about unpaid FasTrak/toll road fees, if it is in a state you were not in, then it’s more than likely a scam,” Timmons said. “I would avoid clicking the attached link to those scams because the scammer could also obtain your personal info by getting you to download malware. My suggestion is to not open the link. A person can always visit the legitimate toll service website and/or contact a customer service representative.”

According to an article published by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in January, “Scammers are pretending to be tolling agencies from coast to coast and sending texts demanding money. … Not only is the scammer trying to steal your money, but if you click the link, they could get your personal info (like your driver’s license number) — and even steal your identity.”

If you have received one of these texts, use your phone’s “report junk” or similar feature, forward it to the FTC at 7726 (SPAM) and then delete it.