Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning people about a new scam that claims people owe money for unpaid tolls.
Michigan does not have toll roads, although there are tolls at border crossings over to Canada. Michigan residents have been getting text messages from scammers claiming to be “Michigan toll services.”
“Scammers craft these messages with links designed to steal consumers’ personal and financial information,” Nessel said. “It’s important for residents to recognize the signs of smishing texts so they aren’t duped out of their hard-earned money.”
The scam includes a text that claims the person owes money for unpaid tolls and that they will face a $50 late fee if they don’t pay it immediately. The message includes a fake link that is made to look legitimate by using the name of a real toll company.
According to the FBI, between early March and April 12, the FBI received more than 2,000 complaints reporting scam texts pretending to be road toll collection services from at least three states.
(State Toll Service Name): We’ve noticed an outstanding toll amount of $12.51 on your record. To avoid a late fee of $50.00, visit (website) to settle your balance.
Example of scam text
What is a smishing text?
Phishing is when scammers send fraudulent emails pretending to be from a reputable company in an attempt to gain personal information or get people to click on a link.
Smishing is similar, but instead of an email, scammers send text messages. The scammer tries to get the victim to give them personal information or click on a link where they will enter their personal information.
According to the Attorney General, here are some red flags that the text is a smishing text:
- The text is unsolicited.
- The text is sent from a long phone number (10 or more digits).
- The text includes a link that is likely shortened or scrambled.
- The text is written with a sense of urgency.
- The text contains grammatical and spelling errors.
- The text promises a reward or prize if you respond or click a link.
- The text requests personal or financial information, or links to a webpage that does.
What to do if you get a suspicious text
Do not reply to suspicious texts. Do not click links or attachments in suspicious texts.
You can report smishing texts by forwarding them to SPAM (7726) and by sending the texts to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov
How to file a complaint with the Attorney General
Complaints can be filed online with the Consumer Protection Team at secure.ag.state.mi.us.
Anyone looking for more information can visit michigan.gov/consumerprotection.