$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
E-ZPass unpaid balance text scam
A smishing text impersonates E-ZPass claiming the recipient has an unpaid toll balance and must pay immediately via a link to avoid fines, leading to a phishing page that steals payment information.
“toll road text scam”
↓ 100%Key indicators
Usually targetsDrivers
Often hitsDrivers and gig workers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers send mass text messages claiming the recipient has an unpaid E-ZPass toll balance with an urgent deadline.
2
The link directs to a convincing replica of an E-ZPass payment page that captures credit card and personal information.
3
Stolen payment data is used for fraudulent charges or sold to other criminals.
What to do first
Do not click any links — log in to your E-ZPass account directly at your state's official E-ZPass website.
Related terms
E-ZPass smishingfake E-ZPass textToll road text scamsSMSStableDriversCommutersE-ZPass usersDrivers and gig workersUnited StatesE-ZPass smishingfake E-ZPass text
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Rebecca, 35, a drivers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate toll road text scams situation while using SMS. Scammers send mass text messages claiming the recipient has an unpaid E-ZPass toll balance with an urgent deadline.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The link directs to a convincing replica of an E-ZPass payment page that captures credit card and personal information.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Stolen payment data is used for fraudulent charges or sold to other criminals.
The outcome
Rebecca realized something was wrong when text message from an unknown number claiming to be e-zpass with a payment link. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Do not click any links — log in to your E-ZPass account directly at your state's official E-ZPass website. Rebecca's experience shows why text message from an unknown number claiming to be e-zpass with a payment link and link url does not match the official e-zpass domain for your state are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Text message from an unknown number claiming to be E-ZPass with a payment link
- Link URL does not match the official E-ZPass domain for your state
- Threatens immediate fines or license suspension if you do not pay within hours
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Do not click any links — log in to your E-ZPass account directly at your state's official E-ZPass website.
- ✓Forward the suspicious text to 7726 (SPAM) and delete it.
- ✓Report the scam to the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Save the full chat or call log before blocking the sender so the reporting path still has the original context.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The FBI reported a 900% increase in toll-related smishing complaints in early 2024, with E-ZPass being the most commonly impersonated toll service.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Tell close contacts if a phone or text scam used your identity, so scammers cannot reuse the same story against people around you.
- ✓Do not click any links — log in to your E-ZPass account directly at your state's official E-ZPass website.
- ✓Forward the suspicious text to 7726 (SPAM) and delete it.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The FBI reported a 900% increase in toll-related smishing complaints in early 2024, with E-ZPass being the most commonly impersonated toll service.
FBI IC3 Alert 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Drivers, Commuters, E-ZPass users
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
SMS — Toll road text scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Drivers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The ongoing nature of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The FBI reported a 900% increase in toll-related smishing complaints in early 2024, with E-ZPass being the most commonly impersonated toll service.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 Alert 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about e-zpass unpaid balance text scam
How does the e-zpass unpaid balance text scam work?+
Scammers send mass text messages claiming the recipient has an unpaid E-ZPass toll balance with an urgent deadline. The link directs to a convincing replica of an E-ZPass payment page that captures credit card and personal information. Stolen payment data is used for fraudulent charges or sold to other criminals.
What are the warning signs of e-zpass unpaid balance text scam?+
Text message from an unknown number claiming to be E-ZPass with a payment link Link URL does not match the official E-ZPass domain for your state Threatens immediate fines or license suspension if you do not pay within hours
What should I do if I encounter e-zpass unpaid balance text scam?+
Do not click any links — log in to your E-ZPass account directly at your state's official E-ZPass website. Forward the suspicious text to 7726 (SPAM) and delete it. Report the scam to the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov.
Who is most at risk for e-zpass unpaid balance text scam?+
This scam primarily targets Drivers, Commuters, E-ZPass users. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on SMS.
Is e-zpass unpaid balance text scam still active?+
E-ZPass unpaid balance text scam is currently on our watch list. It has been reported across US. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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