North Carolina residents are being warned about an alarming rise in fraudulent text messages impersonating toll agencies. These scams aim to steal sensitive personal and financial information by falsely claiming that recipients have unpaid toll balances.
The scam messages typically instruct recipients to make immediate payments to avoid hefty fines or legal consequences. Often, they contain links leading to fake websites crafted to collect sensitive data, such as credit card information and Social Security numbers.
In response to this surge in fraud, the North Carolina Turnpike Authority is emphasizing that the state’s official tolling service, NC Quick Pass, will never request payments via text. Official messages from NC Quick Pass are sent from the number 696277 and will never contain payment links or ask for sensitive personal information.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises North Carolina residents to remain vigilant, especially when receiving unsolicited texts demanding immediate payment. Experts recommend avoiding clicking on any links in unexpected messages, verifying the authenticity of toll notices by contacting the tolling agency directly through known, trusted channels, and reporting suspicious communications.
For those who have already fallen victim to these scams, the FTC recommends contacting your financial institutions immediately to safeguard your accounts and reporting the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center for further investigation.
