In recent months, a new smishing scam has been reported where fraudsters impersonate E-ZPass and other toll providers to extract personal information under the pretense of unpaid tolls. The FBI has received over 60,000 reports of these fraudulent texts, which claim recipients owe payments and include urgent instructions to click a suspicious link. Cybersecurity experts have identified a network of Chinese-speaking scammers behind this activity selling phishing kits online. Authorities in multiple states are alerting citizens to remain cautious and recognize warning signs to avoid falling victim to these scams.
According to cybersecurity experts, the fraudulent E-ZPass texts originate from an online syndicate of Chinese-speaking scammers selling ready-made 'phishing kits' on Telegram for stealing credit cards and personal information.
The fake E-ZPass messages usually threaten that if the person does not pay their balance, they will face consequences such as incurred fines or losing their license entirely.
Authorities across the US, including in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Indiana, have warned their residents to watch out for the ongoing scam.
The scammers usually text from a +63 country code for the Philippines, and the messages often feature suspicious links and poorly constructed sentences.
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