Central Ohioans targeted by scam text message for unpaid tolls

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Despite not living near the Ohio Turnpike, central Ohioans are being targeted by a text scam declaring their vehicles have an "outstanding toll charge."

Details of the messaging con include various fake dollar amounts owed, a sense of urgency to pay quickly or suffer consequences and an official-looking link to click.

The scam, identified by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission in April, shows no sign of slowing down. NBC4 has recently received several requests from viewers to alert others of this deceptive text.

Known as “smishing,” which IBM defines as "a combination of 'SMS' — or 'short message service,' the technology behind text messages — and 'phishing,'" the message demands "unpaid tolls" from drivers and threatens "excessive late fees."

Previously, turnpike officials issued a news release with specific steps to identify and combat this scam.

Key points for message recipients include:

• Phone numbers appear to be randomly chosen and do not have to be associated with toll road
use.
• Ohio Turnpike E-ZPass does not request payments by text. Collections of unpaid tolls and/or toll violations do not occur by text.
• All links associated with Ohio Turnpike E-ZPass will include www.ezpassoh.com and www.ohioturnpike.org.

Here is the recommended action to take from the FBI:

• File a complaint with the IC3, www.ic3.gov, and be sure to include:
The phone number from where the text originated.
The website in the text.
• Check your account using the toll service’s legitimate website.
• Contact the Ohio Turnpike’s E-ZPass customer service center at (440) 971-2222.
• Delete any smishing texts received.

Anyone who has clicked on the link in the text should secure their personal information, watch financial accounts for any suspicious activity, and dispute any unauthorized charges.