AUSTIN (KXAN) — Received a fishy-looking text claiming you have unpaid toll fees? You aren’t alone — but there are ways you can report it to state and federal leaders.
Both the Texas Department of Transportation and federal agencies are tracking upticks in fraudulent text messages targeting toll customers. TxDOT first began tracking the fake texts last spring before reporting a surge in them in September.
In a social media post last week, officials said they’re aware of “continued scams targeting TxTag customers,” encouraging people to report the fake messages to TxTag’s customer service line by calling 1-888-468-9824.
KXAN reported earlier this month the Federal Trade Commission was also investigating the suspicious messages, dubbed a “smishing” attempt — or phishing efforts sent via text message. Those texts can not only lead to unsuspecting victims sending along money but clicking the included links can also result in stolen personal information.
The Better Business Bureau released a warning in January about the toll road collection service impersonations, with the agency’s BBB Sam Tracker being inundated by reports of the text messages.
To avoid falling for a fraudulent text, the BBB put out the following recommendations:
- Confirm your outstanding toll balances by directly going to the agency’s legitimate website, logging in and verifying the account’s standing
- Watch for suspicious text indicators, like an out-of-country area code or misspellings
- Never click on links or files included in texts randomly sent to you
- Do not provide personal information like your birthdate, driver’s license number, social security number or other details
Those wishing to report suspicious texts can file a claim with BBB Scam Tracker as well as with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Credit: Source link
