Scammers are sending text messages to people claiming you have an outstanding $8.60 toll fee, It’s not real. This smishing text is not from the real PA Turnpike agency, we’ve uncovered several of these scams over the past few days happening in the United States. Here’s how it works to avoid becoming a victim.
Exposing The Pennsylvania Turnpike Tolls Scam
The scam text targets anyone, whether you have a vehicle or not and the text originates from Quebec. Here’s what the text says:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Tolls services: Our records indicates that your vehicle has an unpaid toll invoice. To avoid additional charges of $86.00 please settle your balance of $8.60 at http://paturnpiketollbill.com.
Do not click the link. Unfortunately, people are already falling victim to this scam and have reported their experiences on Reddit.
What Happens When I Click The Link
Clicking the link can install harmful software on your device. Secondly, It also puts your personal details, like your credit card number, at risk of being stolen by scammers.
Why Its A Scam
No company will send you a bill or fine through a text message. If you get one by email, don’t click on any links. Instead, visit the company’s website directly and check your account for any balances.
If you think you have an unpaid toll or violation, go directly to the EZPass website for your state to check your account.
What To Do If You Fall For The Paturnpiketollbill.com 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.
Similar scam: Indianarti.com Scam
Samantha