Fake text messages claiming drivers owe unpaid tolls helped push reports of government-imposter scams up 40 percent in 2025, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The texts spoof familiar programs like E-ZPass, SunPass, FasTrak, and TxTag, threatening late fees or suspended registrations to pressure recipients into tapping a malicious link. With losses from cash payments to government impersonators already reaching $76 million in 2023 and the FBI logging more than 2,000 toll-related smishing complaints since early March 2024, the scheme is spreading state to state and showing no signs of slowing down.
Why fake toll texts are landing at the worst possible time
The 40 percent spike in government-imposter scam reports did not happen by accident. The FTC attributes the surge partly to a wave of overdue-toll messages that mimic real billing notices. Each text typically contains a short link designed to look like a legitimate toll-service domain, and the phone numbers behind them rotate constantly to dodge carrier blocks.
One pattern that stands out: the campaigns appear to move from state to state rather than blanketing the country all at once. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center noted that the scam has been migrating across states, with text language that is “almost identical” from one region to the next. That geographic sequencing raises a practical question: are scammers timing their blasts to coincide with each state’s peak travel or billing season to maximize clicks? No federal dataset currently breaks down complaint volume by state and month in enough detail to confirm that theory, but the rolling pattern itself suggests deliberate targeting rather than random spam.
The financial damage extends well beyond toll texts alone. Reported losses when victims paid government impersonators in cash jumped from $40 million in 2022 to $76 million in 2023. Toll-text smishing feeds into that broader ecosystem because the initial link often harvests bank or credit card details, opening the door to identity theft and follow-on fraud. Once scammers confirm that a phone number is active and that the recipient will respond, they can recycle that contact in future phishing campaigns, multiplying the risk.
State officials confirm toll agencies never demand payment by text
Multiple state governments have issued direct warnings that legitimate toll operators do not request sensitive information through text messages. New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that E-ZPass and Tolls By Mail will never text or email requesting sensitive personal information. In Michigan, Attorney General Dana Nessel flagged scam texts impersonating the state Department of Transportation with “final reminder” language and threats of legal action. “MDOT will not send you a text demanding immediate payment,” her office emphasized, urging drivers to delete unsolicited messages and check their accounts only through official channels.
Other state transportation and turnpike authorities have echoed the same message: toll agencies may send mailed invoices or, in some cases, email alerts to customers who have opted in, but they do not initiate payment collection via text links. When drivers do receive genuine notices, those bills direct them to log in through a known website or to call a published customer-service number, not to click a shortened URL from an unknown sender. That consistent guidance gives consumers a simple rule of thumb: any text demanding immediate toll payment is almost certainly a scam.
How the scam works on your phone
The fraudulent messages typically follow a tight script. A text claims the recipient has an outstanding toll balance, often for a small amount that seems plausible. The wording suggests urgency-“final notice” or “your account will be sent to collections”-and includes a link that mimics a regional toll brand. The link leads to a fake payment page that may copy logos and color schemes from official websites, asking for card numbers, bank credentials, or even Social Security numbers under the guise of “verification.”
Because many drivers travel through multiple states and may not remember every toll they incurred, the story feels believable. Commuters who use toll roads regularly are especially vulnerable, as they are accustomed to receiving legitimate billing notices and may tap quickly without scrutinizing the sender. Once payment data is entered, scammers can attempt unauthorized charges, sell the information, or use it to craft more convincing follow-up frauds that appear to come from banks or government agencies.
How drivers can protect themselves
Consumer advocates and law-enforcement agencies recommend a few straightforward defenses. First, treat any unsolicited text about tolls as suspicious, especially if it claims immediate consequences. Instead of clicking, users should navigate to their toll provider’s website by typing the address directly into a browser or using a saved bookmark, then log in to check for real balances.
Second, verify the sender. Real toll agencies do not text from random ten-digit numbers, and they do not ask for complete card numbers or Social Security information to settle a routine bill. If a message seems plausible, drivers can call the customer-service number printed on past invoices or on the agency’s official website to confirm whether any payment is due.
Third, report suspicious texts. The FTC encourages consumers to forward scam messages to 7726 (SPAM) and to file complaints through its online portal, while the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center collects detailed reports that help investigators track patterns across states. Blocking the sending number and deleting the text reduces the chance of an accidental tap later.
Finally, experts suggest using account alerts and credit monitoring to catch misuse quickly. Enabling transaction notifications from banks and card issuers can reveal unauthorized charges soon after they occur, limiting losses from any toll-text scam that does slip through. As fake toll notices continue to fuel a broader wave of government-imposter fraud, those basic precautions can make the difference between a harmless spam message and a costly financial hit.
Warren Cohen is a finance writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, covering personal finance topics including credit, banking, and beginner investing. He earned his degree in business administration from Arizona State University and began his career working in consumer finance, where he gained direct experience with lending and credit systems. He now writes for personal finance websites and fintech platforms, focusing on clear, practical content that helps readers make informed financial decisions.
