E-ZPass Scam Hits Central Virginia
"Smishing" text messages claim recipient owes money for using a toll road.
By Hank Silverberg
CORRESPONDENT
Email Hank
It’s back.
The FBI issued a warning about this E-ZPass scam a few months ago when it cropped up in various parts of the country, and now the scammers are targeting Central Virginia.
The scam comes in the form of a text message or email addressed to E-ZPass customers. The text or email tells the customer, “Your vehicle has been recorded using the Virginia Toll Road. To avoid a bill with late fees of $35, please settle your balance by visiting the link below.”
It looks like something you may get from a bill collector—but the link, of course, will then ask for sensitive information like your credit card number.
Do not click on the link!
The FBI says “smishing” can also include malware that could infect your computer or phone.
There is no indication how many of these scam emails or texts have gone out.
Virginia Department of Transportation spokeswoman Jessica Cowardin says that if you use E-ZPass, the company already has your credit card number stored in its system, and that if you owed them money, they would simply put that amount on your regular monthly bill and would not send an email or text.
The “smishing” scam started to show up across the country back in March, but it has just recently hit Virginia.
The new term combines the old email “phishing” scam with the use of the SMS—or text messaging system—on your cell phone.
Those who believe they received a smishing text about overdue tolls can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and include the phone number of the text message as well as the web link listed within the text.
E-ZPass now collects toll revenues in 17 states using an electronic transponder that the driver must purchase in advance. It is always tied to a credit card that you have authorized to use for the tolls.
In Virginia, E-ZPass can be used on the Interstate 95, I-66 and I-64 express lanes, the Dulles Toll Road and the Nice Bridge over the Potomac River between King George County and Maryland.
You can check your E-ZPass bill here.
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