An SMS scam targeting road tolls has resurfaced, claiming people owe money for unpaid bills.
An example of the scam text people may receive reads as follows: “Pay your FastTrak Lane tolls by February 13, 2025. To avoid a fine and keep your license, you can pay at https://ezdrivema.com-xlk.vip/i/. (Please reply Y, then exit the text message and open it again to activate the link, or copy the link into your Safari browser and open it).”
USA TODAY staff in Washington, D.C., and Miami confirmed receiving the text messages this week. The FBI National Press Office did not immediately respond when contacted by USA TODAY regarding the latest possible scam on Thursday.
Last April, the FBI reported receiving more than 2,000 complaints reporting smishing scams representing toll road collection services in three states.
“Smishing” is a social engineering attack that uses fake text messages to trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information or sending money to hackers, according to IBM. The term is a combination of “SMS” or “short message service” and “phishing,” an umbrella term for social engineering attacks.
No, there are no toll roads in Missouri. The Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge, which opened in 1998, formerly operated as a toll bridge but stopped taking tolls in April 2024. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, removal of the toll booths was set to begin Feb. 10 and be complete by May 1.
If you receive a toll road text message you suspect could be a scam, the FBI previously suggested doing the following:
Contributing: Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

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