Recently, there has been a worrying surge in scam texts targeting both Android and iPhone users, with a staggering 604% increase in reports of these messages. Many recipients have received alerts claiming they failed to pay a toll fee, which typically ranges from $4 to $9. Alarmingly, these texts often include threats of an escalating late fee, sometimes as high as $50. This is designed to create panic, prompting individuals to pay quickly to avoid further charges.
Authorities, including law enforcement and cybersecurity experts, are urging people to ignore and delete these scam messages. If you receive one, do not tap the provided links, which can lead to fraudulent payment pages. These pages may request sensitive information, such as credit card details, social security numbers, and passwords. Scammers have become highly skilled at crafting these messages to incite immediate responses from unsuspecting victims.
Reporting and deleting these texts is critical. While scams can sometimes mimic legitimate communications from companies, most reputable organizations will not ask for personal data via text. The rise in these fraudulent messages since the beginning of 2025 has been alarming, with an additional 98% increase noted in just the first week of this month. If you’re unsure about the authenticity of a toll fee message, it’s best to call the toll agency directly using a verified phone number rather than the one provided in the text.
Protect yourself by staying vigilant and ensuring your personal information remains secure.