The New York State Thruway Authority is cautioning residents about an emerging scam involving duplicitous SMS texts concerning unpaid toll fees. This alarming notice comes on the heels of the state’s switch to a cashless toll system, which uses cameras to capture license plates and E-ZPass tags for billing purposes. Scammers are exploiting this change by sending messages that falsely claim individuals owe money for tolls. These messages contain links to a counterfeit website, designed to mimic official NY Toll Services, but it’s a front to harvest personal information. It is critical to note that this fraudulent site has no affiliation with the real toll collection agency, Tolls by Mail NY. New Yorkers are urged to stay vigilant and report any such deceitful communication to the proper authorities, ensuring their personal data remains secure against such deceptive practices.
Officials Issue Warning
Officials have issued a strong warning: the legitimate Tolls by Mail NY service never solicits personal details like birthdates or social security numbers via text. The public is urged to remain cautious, not to click on any links, or to surrender any personal information in response to such texts. Communications regarding unpaid tolls are conducted through formal channels, not via unsolicited messages. Anyone receiving these deceptive texts, designed to look like routine toll transactions, should report them immediately. This malicious scheme aims to leverage the automatic nature of toll payments to trick individuals into compromising their personal information, underlining the importance of staying alert to such fraud attempts. Remember, always verify the authenticity of any request for personal information and use official websites or contact methods to address any concerns regarding toll payments.
