Scammers are texting drivers about unpaid tolls, causing chaos amongst some consumers

CNN - Apr 18th, 2025

A surge in unpaid toll scams has been reported across the United States, with over 60,000 complaints filed with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center last year. These scams are primarily executed via text messages, falsely claiming recipients owe money for highway tolls, and often include links that appear to be from legitimate state toll services. McAfee has noted a significant increase in such scam texts, which are designed to exploit consumer information from past data breaches to target individuals with location-specific scams. The texts frequently use URL shorteners and misleading domains to obscure their fraudulent nature.

The case of Massachusetts resident Caroline Holland highlights the confusion these scams can cause. Although initially dismissing the messages as scams, she later found that some were legitimate notifications from her state’s tolling service. This incident underscores the sophistication of the scams, which often mimic real toll systems, creating difficulty in distinguishing between genuine and fraudulent communications. The FBI advises the public to exercise caution, avoid clicking on unsolicited links, and verify requests through official channels. This growing trend emphasizes the need for heightened awareness and reporting of such fraudulent activities.

Cybersecurity Fbi Consumer Protection Internet Crime Complaint Center Mc Afee Toll Scams Text Message Scams Caroline Holland Ez Drive Ma Massachusetts Department Of Transportation

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

8.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article effectively raises awareness about the widespread issue of toll scams, providing accurate information supported by credible sources. It offers a balanced view by including perspectives from both affected individuals and authoritative entities like the FBI and McAfee. The clarity and structure of the article make it accessible and engaging, although it could benefit from more diverse sources and transparency about research methodologies. The topic's timeliness and public interest are strong, as it addresses a pressing issue with direct implications for consumer protection. While the article could provoke discussions about policy and enforcement, it primarily serves as an informative piece to educate the public on recognizing and avoiding scams.

Accuracy

The story is largely accurate, presenting factual claims that align with verified information. It reports that over 60,000 complaints about unpaid toll scams were made to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, a figure supported by FBI reports. The article accurately describes the scam's modus operandi, including the use of spoofed texts and phishing links, which is corroborated by cybersecurity experts. However, the story could improve by providing more specific data sources or direct quotes from official reports to enhance verifiability.

Balance

The article maintains a balanced perspective by presenting both the scam's impact on individuals and the responses from authorities like the FBI and Massachusetts Department of Transportation. It includes consumer experiences, such as Caroline Holland's case, and expert insights from McAfee, offering a well-rounded view. However, it could have included more perspectives from other states or toll agencies to provide a broader national context.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and clear, with a logical flow from the problem's description to expert advice on avoiding scams. It uses straightforward language, making it accessible to a general audience. The inclusion of real-life examples, like Caroline Holland's story, aids in comprehension by illustrating the scam's impact.

Source quality

The article cites credible sources, including the FBI, McAfee, and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, enhancing its reliability. These are authoritative entities in cybersecurity and law enforcement. However, the story could benefit from more diverse sources, such as additional state agencies or independent cybersecurity experts, to provide a wider range of insights.

Transparency

The article explains the basis for its claims, such as the number of complaints and the methods used by scammers. However, it lacks detailed methodology or data on how McAfee conducted its research on scam text increases. Greater transparency about the sources of statistics and the context of expert opinions would enhance the article's credibility.