Consumer Alert: New toll scam warning

if you receive a text message about toes just know it's a scam mine said that if I didn't pay it within 12 hours they were turning me into the DMV L's over there saying she got one of those too I know screaming across the the studio but we have that text message scam it's taking a toll on so many folks you just heard from some folks talking about those messages that say you have an unpaid toll now some states and agencies like the FTC are ramping up their warnings and what you got the us on this for us thank you we've all received these messages right I received one just yesterday that looked like it was coming from uh Fastpass so um they look very authentic they can look really uh real in fact we have an example of them right here take a look at this one and usually they say things like your toll balance is overdue you need to pay to avoid late fees some other kind of penalty sometimes they threaten to even take away your driver's license and it shows a link that takes you to a page to enter your bank or credit card info that is where you need to stop because this is a fishing scam right they're trying to get that personal information and because it's using SMS texting authorities are actually calling it a smishing scam now so I'm not sure if the name is going to stick but still a big problem and also it's a small amount it's a small amount they're asking for so you're thinking oh it's just a couple of bucks but don't be fooled some places though are trying to put a stop to this exactly the FBI the FTC also a number of states are really putting the warning out about this they're sounding the alarm trying to get people to be aware of this in fact in Illinois for example example the Tollway Authority responded to some of the tweets that people were putting out there saying that these are not legitimate messages and in New York the governor told drivers that easy pass or Tolls by mail will never get sent or email requesting personal and sensitive information so just know that if it's coming to you asking for money it's not the real thing that's the big red flag what else can you do so there are number of tips um for example like the text that I got came from a Hotmail account so look at the email look at the phone number sometimes if it's a foreign number like if it starts with a 44 then that's a major red flag also I mentioned that link there don't click the link if there's a link there you know that that's probably a problem as well and if you do get one of these texts this is an important tip here you know when you go to your text messages instead of just deleting it you can delete and Report junk so if you click that option then you're less likely to get these messages in the future and what should people do if they think they do actually have an outstanding toe balance go right to the source Michael so either the app or the website Easy Pass Fast Track um it is much much better for you to just say wait a minute I'm going to ignore this text message go to the source and see if there's some kind of issue with your account most of the case there's not they already got your personal information the agencies know how to get your money if they need it that's true I got to keep that that is so true I never thought about they know where to find you don't you worry Go Get It Go Get It I thank you