(5MinNewsBreak.com) – The FBI has issued an urgent public warning about a massive government smishing (SMS phishing) scam targeting hard-working Americans through fraudulent toll-collection text messages.
See the tweet below.
More than 2,000 citizens have already reported falling victim to this scheme, which is designed to steal personal information and drain their bank accounts.
According to FBI reports, scammers are sending text messages claiming recipients owe money for unpaid tolls. The messages threaten late fees and legal action if payment is not made immediately.
The messages contain links impersonating state toll services and urge immediate action – a classic pressure tactic used by criminals to bypass your natural defenses.
“The texts claim the recipient owes money for unpaid tolls and contain almost identical language,” the agency stated.
“However, the link provided within the text is created to impersonate the state’s toll service name, and phone numbers appear to change between states,” it added.
These scammers are not amateur hackers operating from their basements. They have registered over 10,000 new domains to perpetrate this widespread attack.
The scheme targets toll services and package delivery companies in at least 10 states across America and even reaches Canada.
Have you received a text claiming you owe unpaid tolls? Many of us have, too, but we know it is a scam.
Check out this public service announcement to learn more about "smishing" scams to ensure you don't become a scammer's next victim.
Read more: https://t.co/lP45hzeyFO pic.twitter.com/Qr72DVpq6h— FBI Sacramento (@FBISacramento) February 26, 2025
Moreover, this scam is particularly dangerous because it attempts to circumvent iPhone security features.
When an iPhone’s built-in security flags a message as potentially fraudulent, the scammer invites users to reply “Y” to reopen the text, creating a dangerous loophole in the device’s protection.
State agencies are scrambling to clarify their legitimate communication methods. In Texas, officials have been forced to issue statements emphasizing they do not send payment demands via text.
The scam, technically known as “smishing,” has become so prevalent that the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 2,000 reports in March 2024 alone.
Americans are being targeted with text messages containing nearly identical language but with links customized to impersonate different state toll services.
To protect yourself from this government impersonation scam, never click links in unexpected messages, even if they appear to come from official sources.
Instead, contact the supposed agency directly through their official website or phone number.
Customers can report these scam texts by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM) or using the phone’s “report junk” feature. The FBI also encourages filing complaints through the IC3 website.
While the government continues to struggle to protect citizens from these increasingly sophisticated attacks, the responsibility for security ultimately falls on everyday Americans.
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