By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Be on the lookout for scam tolling text messages.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is warning people of fraudulent text messages impersonating tolling agencies claiming individuals have outstanding toll balances and threaten that additional fees will be incurred if payment is not sent immediately. The cabinet urges people not to provide personal information or click the link at the bottom of the message, which appears similar to the cabinet’s web address.
“If you receive one of these texts, do not click the link. Even if the website or link looks like it belongs to KYTC, the text is a scam,” the cabinet’s press release states. “KYTC will not send text messages to collect tolls.”
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet personnel are “taking the appropriate steps” to take down the fraudulent website, according to the press release.
Targets of this scam can:
- Report to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov
- Report to the Federal Trade Commission at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Visit the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General website, www.ag.ky.gov, to follow their guidance concerning potential identity theft.
- Forward the suspicious message to 7726 (SPAM) to alert your mobile provider as well
An example of the fraudulent message. Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
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