A warning has been issued as a new scam explodes in the US, amid fears UK will also be targeted
The new con involves scammers sending a text message about an unpaid toll fine, to steal money and personal information from victims
Tech specialists from IT training provider Tecnovy Academy have issued a warning to Brits, as a new SMS scam erupts across the US, with fears scammers will target the UK next.
The scam is a form of ‘smishing’, or SMS phishing, where victims are targeted via text messages, informing them that they have an unpaid fine for using a toll road.
These texts prompt users to enter their credit card details into a third-party site, in order to settle the ‘fine’.
A large number of US citizens have taken to social media to share the unusual texts they have received, prompting the following warning from the Federal Trade Committee (FTC):
"Whether you’ve driven through a toll recently or not, you might’ve gotten a text saying you owe money for unpaid tolls. It’s probably a scam. Scammers are pretending to be tolling agencies from coast to coast and sending texts demanding money."
Many of the UK’s toll roads allow contactless payments at the gates, with a charge calculated and taken from your account long after you have driven away. Others, such as the Mersey Gateway Bridge, are free flow tolls, meaning drivers can pay online before or after using the road.
This switch to cash-free, digital payments makes the UK a potential target for this new toll road smishing scam.
Ertul Topuzoglu, CEO of Tecnovy Academy, has offered the following information on the scam, including advice to anyone who may receive a suspicious text: “This scam is a clever one, as the texts often give a small and specific amount of money that users supposedly owe, which adds an air of credibility to the trap."
“The text will prompt recipients to click on a link, and then to fill in either their bank or their credit card details. Not only is the scammer attempting to gain access to your account to steal money, but also to get your personal information in order to steal your identity."
“If you receive a suspicious text about an unpaid toll fine, do not click on any links or reply to the message. The scammers want you to act quickly, but it is better to pause and check out the legitimacy of the message."
“Reach out to the tolling company via contact details on their official website, rather than using any information from the text. You should then forward the suspicious text to 7726, which is free to do, and will report the scam to your mobile provider.
“If you think you have lost money or been hacked because of this scam, contact Action Fraud by reporting online or calling 0300 123 2040 if you are in England or Wales, or report the scam to the police if you are in Scotland.
“Warning your friends and family about potential scams like this one can help to protect those who may be more vulnerable to phishing.”
