If you live in Southern California, you know how awful commute traffic can be, even in the express lanes. Many use FasTrak, California’s electronic toll road payment system, to utilize toll roads to beat traffic. It’s placed on a dashboard, a sensor reads it, and the toll is deducted from the user’s account.
Scammers have become aware of the necessity of toll lanes for commuters and have started spamming people’s phones with fake text messages. The message contains a warning, a deadline, a link to a payment portal, and instructions on how to pay.
Drivers click the link and enter their banking information, address, social security number, and other sensitive information to avoid the penalties the “government agency” promises.
“Please pay for FastTrak Lane on December 22, 2024. In order to avoid excessive fees and potential legal action on the bill, please pay the fee in time. Thank you for your cooperation and wish you a happy holiday,” the message reads.
The only problem is that it’s not real, it’s a scam – but many have fallen for it and had their bank information stolen.
Many are falling for the scam, despite errors
The first thing that’s immediately noticeable is “FasTrak” is spelled wrong in the message. Then, the URL name is “the toll roads,” not “fastrak” as the official site has.
However, the threat of legal action of financial penalties created a sense of panic that caused many to miss those details. Except for people like Cristi Hernandez.
“I’ve received many text messages, starting last week but because I always saw the news, I started to block the number or delete the message,” she told CBS.
One man said his father fell for a scam via text message, and his phone had to be replaced after hackers took over his phone and stole his information.
Goverment agencies will never text you
San Diego’s FasTrak website has a warning at the very top of the home page that reads, “If you receive a suspicious text message regarding a toll balance, log in to your FasTrak account online or contact us to verify if the message is legitimate.”
The agency also reiterates customers will never receive a text message with warnings about an account. Letters are the preferred method of contact.
If you ever get a text message with a link demanding payment, here’s what the agency suggests you do:
- Delete the text
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
- Verify any charges by logging into your account
- If you’re still unsure, contact the agency directly to verify
- Double-check your bank accounts for any suspicious activity
