What is smishing, and how does it relate to the road toll scams?

Smishing is a type of social engineering attack using fake text messages to trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information, or sending money to cybercriminals. In the context of road toll scams, smishing involves sending texts claiming there are unpaid tolls, urging recipients to click on links to settle the supposed debt.

How many complaints have been reported regarding these smishing scams?

Over 2,000 complaints have been reported to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) since early March 2024.

What actions should individuals take if they receive such scam texts?

Individuals should delete the scam texts, file a complaint with the IC3, check their account using the legitimate toll service website, and contact the toll service's customer service. If they clicked on any links or provided personal information, they should secure their personal and financial accounts immediately.

How widespread are these scams, and are they limited to specific states?

These scams are not limited to specific states; they have been reported across multiple states, with the scam potentially moving from state to state.

3 sources·Technology

FBI Warns Against Smishing Scams Targeting Road Toll Payments

FBI advises Americans to ignore scam texts impersonating toll collection agencies after over 2000 complaints reported this month.

33%

The distribution of story sources: left-leaning (blue), center (light gray), and right-leaning (red).

Reliable

The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.

Balanced

The underlying sources are either a balanced mix of left and right or primarily centrist.

The scams are impersonating toll services and package delivery services in at least 10 U.S. states and the Canadian province of Ontario.
Don’t click on those road toll texts. FBI issues fresh warning about the smishing scam
Boston Herald·7d
Mostly Reliable
This source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.
·
Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.
The scams are impersonating toll services and package delivery services in at least 10 U.S. states and the Canadian province of Ontario.
Don't click on those road toll texts, FBI warns
Boston Globe·7d
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
·
Leans Left
This outlet slightly leans left.
While Apple bans links in iPhone messages received from unknown senders, the scam attempts to bypass that protection by inviting users to reply with “Y” and reopen the text.
Don't click on road toll texts. FBI issues fresh warning about the smishing scam
ABC News·7d
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

Mar 13th, 2025, 2:05 PM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

The FBI has issued a warning to the public about smishing scams impersonating road toll collection agencies. Over 2,000 complaints have been reported this month regarding fraudulent texts that trick users into revealing financial information. The texts, which falsely claim unpaid tolls, are spreading across multiple states and have been linked to over 10,000 scam domains. Victims are urged to file complaints with the FBI and delete these messages to protect their sensitive data.

Perspectives

Compare opinions on this story from liberal (Left), conservative (Right) or center-leaning news organizations.

The FBI has issued a warning against smishing scams that impersonate road toll collection agencies, urging the public to delete such texts without engagement.
These scams have registered over 10,000 domains targeting users across multiple states, showcasing the widespread nature of the threat.
The FBI advises victims to report these scams to their Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to help combat the issue.

FAQs

A list of follow-up questions readers often ask about this story.