VDOT is alerting residents of a new text scam. The texts warn drivers to pay outstanding toll bills or face financial penalties or legal action.
Unlike other scam texts or emails, the messages don’t ask users to click on a link. Instead, they instruct people to reply “Y” and then to copy a supplied URL in a browser.
Virginia’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issued a release on March 4 about the scam. “The DMV will never send you text messages about toll bills,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey. “We urge our customers to be vigilant and avoid sending your personal information via text.”
The DMV shared these tips from the Federal Trade Commission on how to avoid falling for a text scam like this:
- Don’t click on any links in, or respond to, unexpected texts. Scammers want you to react quickly, but it’s best to stop and check it out.
- Check to see if the text is legit. Reach out to the state’s tolling agency using a phone number or website you know is real — not the info from the text.
- Report and delete unwanted text messages. Use your phone’s “report junk” option to report unwanted texts to your messaging app or forward them to 7726 (SPAM). Once you’ve checked it out and reported it, delete the text.
VDOT offers online information about state toll facilities, access to your E-ZPass account, or concerns regarding a text message about toll payment.
Feature image courtesy Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
