Scammers are taking advantage of the EZ-Pass system by tricking people into thinking they owe $4.15 or more via smishing texts. These messages claims to be from EZDriveMA targeting people particularly in the United States and Canada. They do this by sending fake texts or messages, and when people respond, the scammers steal their money and probably personal details.
We received random mails from people who got curious after receiving these texts. This article will shed more light about this scam and what to do if you fall victim.
Exposing The EZDriveMA And How It Works
The EZDriveMA text you just received talks about unpaid tolls for trips you never made.
The text comes in this format ” Your recent journey on the EZ-Pass toll roads has resulted in a charge of $4.15. Settle your balance promptly to avoid any additional late fees.” Then the message asks the recipient to click on a link to pay the bill.” Don’t panic, it’s a scam. We’ve seen similar scams happen in 2024 like the Toll Bay Area FasTrak and MyGoodToGoToll.com and they are after one thing, your money and personal data.
Red Flags
EZ-Pass will never ask for payment through a text message. They send invoices by mail only. If you get a text saying it’s from EZ-Pass, it’s a scam. No government website will use a .net or .org address; they use .com instead. If you get one of these texts, go to the official Mass.gov website and log into your EZ-Pass account from there.
What to Do if You Get a Fake EZ-Pass Text
- Report It: Go to www.ic3.gov and file a report. Include the phone number that sent the text and any website link in the message.
- Check Your Account: Log into your EZ-Pass account through their official website to make sure everything is okay.
- Call Customer Service: Contact EZ-Pass customer service to let them know about the scam and ask for help.
- Delete the Text: Remove the scam text from your phone.
- Protect Your Information: If you clicked on the link or gave out your details, secure your personal and financial information. Check for any charges you don’t recognize and report them.
Real Conversations About This Text Scam
Like we mentioned eairler, random people all over the United States are currently being targeted by this scam and we’ve received lots of complaints in our email and most line up Reddit. When we researched across social media we came across striking complaints from Facebook users.
This almost got me. Looks real. And I only “owed” $4.15 This is a smishing scam. Beware!
From the actual website…
FYI, I’ve gotten this text 4 times now. Web address is .net and it’s a scam. I think it says you have a $4(ish) balance. Report and delete. I also know 4 other people who are getting the same text. Ezdrivema is a .com and you should access by going to mass.gov to make sure you’re on the right one.
NOTE: EZDriveMA will never request payment by text.
All links associated with EZDriveMA will include the correct web address of EZDriveMA.com.
Solution for Victims of EZDriveMA Text Scam
Inform Their Credit Card Company
If you provided your credit card details on this scam site, the first step you should take is calling your credit card company. They need to know that your card details have been compromised so as to closely monitor and prevent any unauthorized charges.
Place a Credit Freeze or Fraud Alert
Fraud alert is sort of like a two-factor authentication process for accessing your credit, whereas a credit freeze blocks anyone from accessing your credit — until you remove it. The credit freeze is the best option for you, if you know you wouldn’t be using the credit card anytime soon.
Scan Their Device with a Malware Checker Tool
There’s a likelihood that your device has been infested by malware or spyware after visiting the spoofed website. Scanning your device with a malware removal tool will detect and remove any viruses, spyware, or other malicious programs.
Samantha