A wave of toll road text scams has swept across the US, leaving thousands of people vulnerable to financial losses. Researchers have identified over 60,000 domains associated with the scams, which are often sent via iPhones and Android phones. The scammers, believed to be Chinese criminal gangs, use tactics such as fear and urgency to get victims to pay fake toll fees.
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission has issued a public service ad warning of the fraudulent texts, while state-run toll systems in Georgia, Florida, and Texas have also been targeted. Cybersecurity experts say that the scammers are cheaply exploiting the $3 fee for tolls, which is often too enticing to ignore, but it’s their personal information that they’re really after.
Experts warn that the scammers will continue to use AI tools to create convincing text messages, making it harder for people to spot the scams. Aidan Holland, senior security researcher at Censys, estimates that the domains used in the scams cost $90,000 to buy and use.
Apple’s safety feature is supposed to strip links from texts, but hackers are finding ways to evade it. Android phones may be added to spam lists, but scammers simply change numbers. As a result, many people, including seniors and less tech-savvy individuals, are falling victim to the scams. The elderly woman Millie Lewis of Cleves, Ohio, received a text and promptly deleted it, saying she doesn’t drive.
The scam’s success is due in part to human nature, with scammers preying on fear and urgency. Amy Bunn, online safety advocate at McAfee, advises people not to engage with the scammers, even if they think their message is innocent. “Don’t reply or text them back,” she says. The best way to avoid falling for the scam is to ignore it altogether.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/13/why-toll-text-scam-is-out-of-control-and-apple-android-cant-stop-it.html