Have you received a text message or phone call about an overdue toll charge? It's probably a SCAM!
Beware of the Unpaid Toll Scam
Protect Yourself From Fraud
In recent months, a new scam has been making the rounds, targeting unsuspecting individuals with a fake unpaid toll notification. As a community-focused bank, Bank of Bartlett wants to ensure that our customers are aware of this and other types of fraud that may affect their financial security. Here's everything you need to know about the "unpaid toll scam" and how you can protect yourself.
What Is the Unpaid Toll Scam?
In this scam, fraudsters claim that you owe money for an unpaid toll violation. They might send an email, text message, or even a phone call that appears to be from a legitimate toll collection agency. The scam often includes a sense of urgency, such as threatening to suspend your vehicle registration or issue a fine unless the toll payment is made immediately. Some scammers may even direct you to a fake website or provide a phone number to “resolve” the issue. Finally, they will ask for payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or even cryptocurrency—untraceable payment methods that make it hard for law enforcement to track.
These messages can look very convincing, often mimicking the tone, logos, and branding of real toll agencies or government bodies. This makes it easy for people to fall for the scam, especially when they are unaware that no actual toll violations exist.
How to Spot an Unpaid Toll Scam
It’s important to be cautious when receiving unexpected messages about unpaid tolls. Here are a few signs that you might be dealing with a scam:
- Unsolicited communication – If you did not expect to receive any toll violation notice, it could be a scam.
- Suspicious payment requests – Government or toll agencies will never ask for payment via wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrencies. Always make sure you’re paying through official channels.
- Urgency and threats – Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency by threatening fines, penalties, or legal action. A legitimate agency will give you adequate time to pay or resolve the issue.
- Check the sender’s information – If you receive an email, carefully check the sender's email address for any spelling errors or inconsistencies. Official agencies usually send communications from a verified domain.
- Spelling and grammatical errors – Many scam messages contain odd wording, spelling mistakes, or poor grammar. Legitimate notices from government agencies or toll companies will be professionally written.
What Should You Do If You Receive a Fake Toll Notice?
If you receive a message about an unpaid toll that seems suspicious, take the following steps:
- Do not click any links or download attachments – Fraudulent emails and messages may contain links that lead to phishing websites designed to steal your personal information. Avoid interacting with any part of the message. Learn more about internet safety here.
- Do not make a payment – If the payment methods requested include gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, these are red flags. Legitimate agencies will not ask for payment in this way.
- Contact the toll company directly – If you believe the notice might be legitimate, contact the toll agency directly using the contact information provided on their official website. Do not use any contact information from the suspicious message.
- Report the scam – If you’ve received a fraudulent toll notice, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your local consumer protection agency. If you’ve already made a payment, notify your bank or credit card company immediately to take action on any unauthorized charges.
- Block the number and delete the message – Do not engage with the scammer if you think you received a fake text message. Instead, block the phone number and delete the text message. Refusing to engage and blocking the number can help prevent scammers from contacting you again.
How Bank of Bartlett Helps Protect You
At Bank of Bartlett, we take your financial security seriously. Here are a few ways we help keep your accounts safe:
- Account alerts: Our online banking platforms include an Alerts feature available in both our website and mobile app, with these alerts you can monitor transactions and receive notifications about any account activity, balance, debit card transaction, and be aware of any suspicious activity. Learn more about our Online Banking platforms here.
- Secure transactions: We use encryption and multi-factor authentication to ensure your online banking experience is secure.
- Educational resources: We regularly share information about common scams and fraud prevention tips to help you stay informed and protected.
Scammers are always finding new ways to trick people into giving up their money. By staying vigilant, checking your account for updates, and learning about the ongoing scams, you can protect yourself from falling victim to the unpaid toll scam and others. If you have any concerns or questions about potential fraud, don’t hesitate to contact us at Bank of Bartlett. We're here to help you safeguard your finances and ensure your banking experience remains secure.