Is this unpaid toll text a scam?
Updated October 16, 2026 · 5 min read
A text saying you have an unpaid toll and will face a late fee unless you pay through a link is a scam the FBI has warned about. Check your toll account on the toll agency’s official site, typed in yourself, or call the number on your toll tag or statement. Here is how the scam works and what to do.
The short answer
Treat an unexpected text about unpaid tolls as fake until you’ve checked your account another way. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center issued an alert in April 2024 after more than 2,000 complaints about texts posing as road toll services. We can’t see your message, so no page can tell you for certain. If you’re unsure, don’t use the link: go to the company’s own app or website, or call a number you already trust.
What the FBI says the texts look like
- They claim you have an outstanding toll balance, often a small amount.
- They threaten a late fee if you don’t pay by clicking a link.
- The link goes to a website that imitates the toll service’s name.
- The phone numbers change between states, and the campaign appeared to spread from state to state.
- Press reports said the E-ZPass name was also used, though the FBI’s alert did not name it.
What to do now
- Don’t tap the link or reply.
- Check your balance by going directly to the toll agency’s official website (type it yourself), or call the customer service number on the official site or on your toll statement.
- Report the text to the FBI at ic3.gov, including the sending number and the website it lists.
- Forward it to 7726 and report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- Delete the text.
If you tapped the link or paid
- The FBI advises securing your personal and financial information and disputing any charges you don’t recognise.
- Call your card issuer immediately and ask for a replacement card.
- Change passwords you typed, and watch your accounts for several weeks.
Why this scam works
The amounts are small, so people pay without thinking, and anyone who drives on toll roads can believe they missed one. The goal isn’t just the fee: it’s your card number and personal details. A genuine toll agency will still be there if you check through its own site.
Check it again
You can also paste the message into our free scam text checker. It runs on your message and doesn’t store it.
Frequently asked questions
Are unpaid toll text messages real?
Some toll agencies do contact drivers, but the FBI has warned about widespread fake toll texts. Check with the agency through its official site or number, not the link.
Is the E-ZPass text a scam?
Many texts using the E-ZPass name have been reported as scams. The FBI’s alert covered road toll services in general. Check your account on the official E-ZPass site or number.
Where do I report a fake toll text?
Report it to the FBI at ic3.gov, forward it to 7726 and report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.