A viral scam is spreading across the US, with multiple law enforcement agencies urging citizens to delete and report texts claiming to be from their toll collection agency immediately. The scammers use tailored messages that mimic the local agency’s style, including payment links designed to look legitimate.
The toll fee scam targets iPhone and Android users, warning them of escalating fines if they don’t pay immediately. However, the best result for victims is losing money; in reality, their financial credentials are stolen, and personal info is harvested from the clicked webpage.
According to Guardio’s data, there has been a 604% rise in toll fee scam texts since January 2025, with March setting a new record. Authorities advise deleting and reporting such texts and checking with the agency via official channels before making any payments.
If you receive a suspicious text, delete it and report it to local police or the FBI at ic3.gov. Verify payment details through the agency’s usual methods online or by phone to avoid falling victim to this escalating threat.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2025/03/17/delete-now-police-warning-as-dangerous-iphone-android-texts-soar-600