Pretends to be a toll agency or court
Fake unpaid toll or ticket text
Is a text saying I owe an unpaid toll, ticket or court fine a scam?
Yes, almost always. Toll agencies, DMVs and courts do not text you to pay. Do not click; check your toll account on the official website you type yourself.
Almost always fake. Stop, then check by calling a number you already have.
Also searched as: E-ZPass, SunPass, FasTrak, toll road text, DMV text, traffic ticket text, parking fine text, court fine text
Draft: we're still checking this page. The quotes below are word for word from their sources.
What to do
On the phone right now?
- Stop. Hang up or close the message. Don't tap anything.
- Check. Call a number you already have, like the one on your card or bill.
- Talk to someone you trust before you pay anyone.
If anyone is in danger right now, call 911.
If you already paid
- Call the company you paid through right away: your bank, card company, gift card company, or the wire or Zelle service. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
- Call the Justice Department's National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If it happened online, report it at IC3.gov too.
General information, not legal or financial advice. If you've lost money, contact your bank and report it.
How it works
1 They reach you by
- Text message
- Website
2 They pretend to be
- Police or government
3 They ask for
- Tap a link
- Personal details
- Money
What it can look like
Example pattern, not a real message
Pretends to be a toll agency or court. What gives it away:
- Give your ID numbers
- Use their link
- Pay right now
What they may say
“Notice of Civil Infraction Hearing”
Warning signs
- They contacted you, then ask for your Social Security, Medicare or bank numbers.
- They want you to use their link or their phone number. Look up the real website or number yourself.
- They say you must pay right now or something bad will happen. Real organizations give you time to check.
Why we say this
Pay Up, You’re in Trouble: Attorney General Bonta Warns Californians of Court Notice Scams
Fake court notices arrive by text or email. They say you owe a traffic or toll fine and must pay now or face penalties. Real courts never ask for money by text, phone or email.
These notices are scams.
6 more quotes from this source
Courts [will not text, call, or email](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/traffic/scam-warning "https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/traffic/scam-warning") you to ask for money.
If you receive this type of notice, do not access the QR code, click on any hyperlinks, or attempt to make a payment.
scammers will weaponize urgency and make you feel like you are in the wrong and need to act immediately.
Ask for payment by text, phone, or email.
Send links to pay tickets by text.
By calling the court directly using a trusted number.
Attorney General Schwalb Warns District Residents About Fake Toll Collection Scams
The DC Attorney General warns about threatening toll texts sent to DC phones. The links lead to fake toll websites that collect card numbers and personal details. The page explains what to do if you already paid, including calling your bank and reporting to the FTC.
“Toll enforcement agencies will never contact you via text to demand payment for an unpaid toll.
6 more quotes from this source
But the texts are scams that aim to steal your personal and financial information. They should be ignored and deleted.
The texts have a threatening tone and insist that residents take urgent action—or else.
District residents should *never* click on these links. OAG found that the websites behind these scam texts serve only one purpose—extracting personal information and credit card numbers.
The fake E-ZPass Maryland site features a highway scene from Orlando, misspells ‘toll’ as ‘tol’, and tells users it cannot provide detailed information unless they pay—something no legitimate tolling agency would ever say.
**Immediately contact your bank**. Inform your bank that you’ve been the victim of a phishing scam and request a fraud block or replacement card.
The scammers will sell your name and contact information to other scammers over the dark web.
DMV Warns of Fraudulent Text Scam Asking for Toll Payments
Scam texts that look like they come from the DMV say you owe a toll and must pay right away. The link goes to a fake payment page that steals your card and bank details. The DMV says it never asks for payment or personal details by text.
The DMV will never send a text message to ask for personal or financial information.
4 more quotes from this source
The current scam makes the text look like a DMV notice that claims that the recipient has unpaid toll fees and threatens charges or penalties if they are not paid immediately through a provided link.
The included link leads to fake payment pages designed to steal customers’ financial information.
Remember that legitimate government agencies will rarely contact you by text for sensitive matters.
The DMV wants customers to know that it will never reach out by text to ask for payment or personal information.
Toll or Ticket Scams
Michigan's Attorney General warns about fake texts about unpaid tolls or tickets. Some include a fake court notice with a QR code. The goal is to steal personal and money details.
Michiganders are being targeted by several fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid tolls or tickets. These scams are meant to steal personal and financial information. They create a false sense of urgency and impersonate government agencies and private companies.
2 more quotes from this source
Scammers may send texts that include an image claiming to be a “Notice of Civil Infraction Hearing.” The notice falsely claims to be from a district court.
The message falsely warns that you must appear in person for a hearing or admit responsibility and pay a penalty before the hearing date. The scam also includes a QR code that leads to a deceptive website.
Scam Alert
A Florida toll agency warns about texts that say you owe an unpaid toll and threaten late fees. Scammers also add fake DMV penalties and copycat toll websites. The agency says it will never text you about a toll balance.
The text scam poses as a tolling agency and states that the recipient has an unpaid toll balance. The message threatens late fees or enforcement action if the balance is not paid immediately and includes a fraudulent link directing recipients to submit payment.
5 more quotes from this source
CFX or E-PASS will not text you about an outstanding toll balance.
If you receive one of these messages, do not click on any links. The message is a scam and not from CFX, E-PASS or another tolling agency in Florida.
Scammers are now including fake DMV penalties in scam texts, claiming recipients will face suspension of vehicle registration, driving privileges, or even prosecution if payment is not made immediately.
If you have clicked a suspicious link or shared your information, take steps to secure your personal and financial accounts immediately. Review and dispute any unauthorized charges.
Avoid being rushed into making decisions.