What the message can look like
A text might use a toll agency’s name, say a balance is overdue, and ask for payment through a link. Some agencies send customer notices, and their procedures vary. The message alone cannot tell you whether a balance is real.
Illustrative example · not a real screenshot
“FINAL NOTICE: A toll payment may still be due. Pay today to avoid added charges. [link removed from this example]”
The link is removed here. Do not use a link in an unexpected message to decide whether a payment is due.
Red flags to notice
A few details can be a reason to pause and verify another way:
- The message creates pressure with a short deadline or a threat of extra charges.
- It asks you to use a link you do not recognize to make a payment.
- The sender or payment page asks for card, bank, or login details before you have confirmed the agency.
- The message is vague about which trip, account, or toll agency it means.
A warning sign is a reason to check. It does not prove, by itself, that a message is fraudulent.
What to do before you pay
Pause before tapping or replying.
Do not open the message link or send information in a reply.
Check with the toll agency directly.
Open its official app or type its known web address yourself. You can also use a phone number from an official statement. Do not take the number or link from the text.
Use only a confirmed payment method.
If the agency confirms a balance, follow the payment options listed on its official site or app.
If you already shared details, contact the real provider.
Call your bank using the number on your card if you entered payment details. If you entered a password, change it on the real service and anywhere else you reused it.
Where to report a suspected scam
You can report suspected internet crime to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, or report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission. Use their official websites, not a link from the text.
