Fake Toll Violation Scams in the United States
How smishing campaigns impersonate US toll authorities — E-ZPass, SunPass, FasTrak, and others — to steal payment card details and personal information from drivers.
Part of: Fake Toll Violation Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake toll violation text messages have surged across the United States, targeting drivers with texts that mimic the branding and language of real tolling agencies. The messages typically claim an outstanding small balance and threaten a fine if not paid immediately, directing recipients to a fraudulent website designed to capture card details.
What makes this scam effective in the US context is the fragmented nature of the toll system: dozens of state and regional agencies operate independently, each with different app names and websites, making it harder for drivers to know immediately which URL is legitimate. This guide covers the US-specific agency names, the domains used by real toll services, and the correct way to verify and report.
How this scam works on the United States
The scam texts are sent in bulk via SMS or messaging apps to large numbers of US phone numbers, many of whom have never used a toll road. The message typically references a small unpaid balance — a few dollars — and provides a link that resembles a legitimate tolling agency website (e.g., 'e-zpass-pay.com' instead of 'e-zpass.com').
The fake website copies the real agency's branding and asks for the vehicle registration number, last name, and full card details to pay the 'outstanding balance.' In some variants, the site also collects driver's license information for a fake 'identity verification' step. Victims often do not realise anything is wrong until unauthorised card charges appear days or weeks later.
The FBI and FTC have both issued warnings about this pattern. Campaigns have specifically impersonated E-ZPass (multiple northeastern states), SunPass (Florida), FasTrak (California), and TxTag (Texas).
Common red flags
- Unexpected text claiming a toll violation from a state where you may not have driven recently
- URL in the text does not exactly match the official agency website
- Small balance claim combined with disproportionately large threatened fine
- Text asks for full card details to pay a government fee — legitimate agencies accept payment through their verified app or website
- Message contains grammatical errors or generic phrasing inconsistent with an official notice
- Pressure to pay within 24–48 hours or face increased penalties
How to protect yourself
- Never click the link in an unexpected toll text — go directly to the official agency website by typing it yourself
- Look up your state's official tolling agency at their verified domain, not via search ads
- E-ZPass official domain is e-zpass.com; SunPass is sunpass.com; FasTrak is fastrak.org — bookmark these
- If you receive a suspicious text, report it to 7726 (SPAM) on your phone — this forwards to your carrier
- Check your toll account directly through the official app to see if any balance is genuinely owed
How to report it
- Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov — include a screenshot of the text
- File a complaint with the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
- Forward the text message to 7726 (SPAM) to report to your mobile carrier
- Report the phishing domain to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected]
- If card details were entered, contact your card issuer immediately to dispute charges and request a new card
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a toll text is real?
Do not use the link in the text. Instead, go directly to your tolling agency's official website (typed by hand) or open the official app. Log in and check your account balance there. Legitimate agencies also send paper notices for serious violations.
I entered my card details on a fake toll website — what should I do?
Contact your card issuer immediately to report the card as compromised, request a new number, and dispute any unauthorised charges. Also report to the FTC and IC3. Monitor your credit report for any new accounts opened in your name.