
(StraightShooterNews.com) – In a new threat for American drivers, Chinese scammers impersonate toll road systems like E-ZPass and SunPass.
See the tweet below!
These fake alerts are targeting users with false claims of unpaid tolls, leading victims to unsecured websites where sensitive information is stolen.
Stay alert and protect your personal and financial data from this latest cyberattack.
Reports have emerged of widespread phishing attacks targeting toll road users in the United States.
Scammers are sending text messages that appear to be from legitimate tolling agencies, urging victims to pay supposed outstanding tolls.
These messages often contain an amount owed and a link promising resolution through online payment.
If clicked, these links can guide victims to phishing websites designed to mimic official toll operators’ sites.
Upon inputting sensitive information, users expose themselves to potential identity theft.
These scams are not isolated incidents but are tied to organized efforts attributed to Chinese smishing groups as reported by reliable sources such as Fox News and NYC Post.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has stepped up to warn consumers of the dangers these scams present.
Adding to the concern is the use of sophisticated tools such as the “Lighthouse” kit, which aids scammers in convincingly mimicking toll operators across multiple states.
Phishing pages have grown more deceptive due to their mobile-optimized designs, making them harder to distinguish from legitimate websites.
These advancements in phishing techniques have allowed these fraudulent messages to bypass traditional SMS spam filters by integrating with Apple iMessage and Android’s Rich Communication Services (RCS).
Victims, including those without toll transponders or vehicles, have reported receiving such scam messages, hinting at the random and widespread nature of this attack across states like Texas, Florida, and Connecticut.
“Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson says this scam is becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread, reports Fox8 TV.
Sadly, the emerging pattern shows this scam is an evolution from previous fraudulent campaigns that rotated from package delivery schemes to now targeting toll road users.
A new scam is blasting out phony texts about what the messages call "unpaid tolls." A security expert reveals Chinese cyber criminals are behind the phishing scheme. pic.twitter.com/z5K7Wlnwqb
— China in Focus – NTD (@ChinaInFocusNTD) January 30, 2025
Security expert Ford Merrill has pointed out that this is indicative of Chinese smishing groups behind the attacks.
“What we’re seeing with these toll scams is just a continuation of the Chinese smishing groups rotating from package redelivery schemes to toll road scams,” Merrill said, a sentiment echoed by other security researchers.
“As reported by KrebsOnSecurity, the scam begins with a text message claiming to be from a toll road operator, such as E-ZPass or SunPass,” The New York Post reports.
To safeguard against these scams, never click on suspicious links or provide personal information online without verifying the source.
Contact the tolling agency directly using known contact information to confirm any claims of debt.
Be proactive by reporting unwanted texts with your phone’s “report junk” feature or by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM).
After reporting, delete the deceitful text to thwart further attempts at fraud. The FTC offers more guidance on handling such scams at ftc.gov/textscams.
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