E-ZPass and VDOT Toll Payment Scams: How to Stay Safe!

The rise of online scams continues to pose a serious threat to unsuspecting individuals, and one of the latest schemes involves fraudulent text messages pretending to be from E-ZPass or the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). These scams attempt to steal your personal and financial information by tricking you into clicking malicious links. Here’s what you need to know to stay protected. How the E-ZPass and VDOT Toll Scam Works Scammers send fake text messages claiming to be from E-ZPass or toll road agencies like VDOT, stating that you have unpaid toll charges. The message typically contains an urgent warning, such as \"Final Notice! Pay now to avoid penalties!\" and includes a link that appears legitimate. However, clicking this link can: Steal your credit card and personal information. Install malware on your phone. Trick you into making payments to fraudulent accounts. These scams often use changing phone numbers and realistic-looking website links to impersonate official toll collection agencies, making them difficult to detect at first glance. Signs of a Fake Toll Payment Message To protect yourself from falling victim to this scam, watch out for these warning signs: Urgency and threats : Messages demanding immediate payment or warning of legal action. Suspicious links : Links that don’t match official E-ZPass or VDOT websites. Unfamiliar senders : Messages coming from random phone numbers or emails. Grammar and spelling mistakes : Many scam messages contain obvious errors. Requests for personal or financial details : Legitimate agencies will never ask for sensitive information via text. What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Message If you get a message that appears to be from E-ZPass, VDOT, or any toll collection service, follow these steps to stay safe: Do not click any links. Verify your account directly by visiting the official E-ZPass website or calling their customer service. Report the scam to your mobile carrier by forwarding the text to 7726 (...