FBI Warns iPhone And Android Users—Delete Any Texts Received
A new scam is spreading across the United States, and authorities are warning people to be on high alert. The FBI has issued a statement saying this scam is moving from state to state, meaning it could reach your area soon if it hasn’t already. The best thing to do if you receive one of these messages is to delete it immediately—don’t even leave it sitting in your inbox.
How the Scam Works
This scam involves text messages claiming that you owe money for unpaid road tolls. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), scammers are pretending to be toll agencies and sending out fake payment demands. The goal isn’t just to steal your money—if you click on the link in the message, they could also gain access to your personal information, including your driver’s license number, and even commit identity theft.
The scam itself is simple but effective. The text message looks like it’s from a legitimate toll service, showing an amount due and a link to make a payment. But this is actually a phishing attack—specifically, a “smishing” attack, since it’s carried out via SMS rather than email.
A Growing National Problem
Reports of this scam have been coming in from all over the country, including Massachusetts, California, North and South Carolina, Illinois, Colorado, and Florida, among others. The FBI first received reports about it in March 2024, and since then, thousands of people have been targeted. The messages all look similar, using nearly identical wording and amounts due. The scammers also create fake links that appear to match the official websites of toll services in different states.
Even government agencies are speaking out against the scam. The city of Great Falls, for example, issued a warning on social media this week, making it clear that these messages are fake and not sent by any legitimate agency.
What You Should Do
The FBI advises everyone to be cautious and follow these simple steps to avoid becoming a victim:
- If you receive one of these messages, do not click on the link.
- Check your toll account directly by visiting the toll service’s official website or calling their customer service number.
- Delete the scam message from your phone immediately to prevent accidentally clicking on it later.
If you have already fallen for the scam and made a payment, take action right away:
- Contact your bank or credit card company to report the fraudulent transaction.
- Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.
- If you shared your address or other personal information, be on the lookout for signs of identity theft, such as unexpected charges or new credit applications in your name.
Who Is Behind This?
Cybersecurity experts believe these scams are being carried out by organized cybercriminal groups using advanced phishing kits. Many of these kits are designed by groups in China and allow scammers to impersonate toll operators in multiple states. These same criminals have used similar tactics to pose as shipping companies, tax agencies, and immigration services. Their ultimate goal is to steal credit card details, add them to mobile wallets, and make fraudulent purchases or launder money.
Other Scams on the Rise
This toll scam is just one of many phishing attacks currently targeting people across the country. Other recent scams include:
- Banking fraud scams where criminals pose as bank representatives or tech support agents.
- Fake police calls demanding payment to avoid an arrest.
- AI-driven scams that make fraudulent calls sound more convincing than ever before.
One particularly alarming case this week involved a woman in Florida who was tricked into believing her phone had been hacked. The scammer, who knew her name, convinced her to withdraw thousands of dollars and transfer it to a cryptocurrency account for “safety.”
These types of scams are becoming more common worldwide. Just this week, a European energy company warned over a million customers about fake SMS messages impersonating their company.
Stay Vigilant
Text message scams are getting more sophisticated, but many of them rely on simple tricks. If you receive an unexpected payment request via text, always verify it directly with the company before taking any action. The best way to protect yourself is to stay informed and cautious—never trust a text message that asks for money or personal information.
If you think you’ve been targeted by one of these scams, report it to your local authorities and warn others to be on the lookout.
