Got a text about an unpaid toll? Read this before you pay.
Fake toll texts are one of the most common scams in the US right now. They claim you owe a small amount — often under $10 — for an unpaid toll or EZ-Pass balance, and threaten late fees or a license suspension if you don't pay immediately. The link leads to a convincing fake payment page that steals your card details. Real toll agencies do send payment notices, but they don't demand instant payment by text from random phone numbers.
What the scam looks like
EZ-Pass Alert: You have an unpaid toll of $6.99. To avoid a $50 late fee and suspension of your vehicle registration, pay within 12 hours: ezpass-toll-settle.com
Example based on real reported scam messages.
The warning signs
- Tiny amount, huge threat — A few dollars owed, but late fees, collections or license suspension if you don't act in hours. Real agencies mail notices and give you weeks.
- Look-alike link — The link is not the agency's official site. 'ezpass-toll-settle.com' is not ezpass.com — scammers register convincing copies.
- Random phone number — Real toll agencies send from registered short codes or official numbers, not ordinary mobile numbers.
- Payment page asks for everything — The fake site asks for your full card number, expiry, CVV and often your driver's license — far more than a $7 toll needs.
Got a message like this?
Paste it into the free Trust.ai checker. You'll get a risk score and the exact warning signs it found — no account needed.
Check my message — freeWhat to do right now
- Don't tap the link. If you think the toll might be real, go to the agency's official website yourself (type the address, don't follow the text) and check your account there.
- Paste the message into the Trust.ai checker below — you'll get a risk score and the exact warning signs in seconds.
- Report the text by forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM) — free on most US carriers — then delete it.
- If you already paid, call your bank or card issuer immediately and ask them to block the charge and reissue the card.
Common questions
How do I know if a toll text is real?
Real toll agencies like EZ-Pass don't demand instant payment by text from random numbers, and their links go to their official domain. If a text pressures you to pay within hours or threatens your license, treat it as a scam and verify on the agency's official site.
What happens if I clicked the toll scam link?
If you only opened the page, you're probably fine — close it and don't enter anything. If you entered card details, contact your bank immediately to block the charge and reissue the card, then watch your statements for small test charges.