If you got a text message in recent days that you have unpaid tolls from the Ohio Turnpike, you’re not alone. A commonly used scam tactic that saw a surge in March in Ohio appears to once again be making the rounds.
Text messages to Ohioans claiming they have delinquent unpaid tolls that will result in penalties or legal action if unpaid have been circulating. Similar texts saw an uptick in Ohio in March and April.
Some of the messages include a link to a fake payment site or information about phone numbers to call to provide payment information.
Why is the toll road scam happening?
In April 2024, the Ohio Turnpike began using the E-ZPass tolling system that allows customers with passes to drive through without stopping. The system’s use resulted in more scam messages being sent throughout the state.
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission released information in August about the possibility of scams like this. The commission also suspended late fees, collections and holds on vehicle registrations to allow for a grace period, which ended in February.
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission began issuing late fees on Feb. 3 and sending unpaid bills to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for collections and to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to place holds on vehicle registrations.
These notices are sent through mail, not text messages. However, Reliant Capital Solutions, LLC, which is a debt collector for the Attorney General’s office, will send text messages about unpaid toll fees.
How can I stay safe from a toll scam?
The FTC recommends the following steps if you receive messages about unpaid toll debt:
If you believe you have been a victim of one of these scams, contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Include the phone number the text message originated from and the website included in the text when making a complaint.
If you clicked on a link or made a payment, take the appropriate steps to secure financial accounts, including disputing unexpected charges and secure personal information.
Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@gannett.com or on Bluesky at @bethanybruner.dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Is that text about your unpaid Ohio Turnpike toll a scam? Probably. Here’s what to know
Reporting by Bethany Bruner, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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