Here’s the setup.

You get a text claiming you have an unpaid toll balance. It says you need to pay immediately or face late fees, registration suspension, or even legal action.

There’s a link to “pay now.”

The link takes you to a fake site that looks like your state’s toll system. You enter your payment info thinking you’re clearing up a small balance. Instead, you just gave scammers your credit card.

These texts impersonate E-ZPass, SunPass, FasTrak, and other toll programs across the country. They’re hitting every state, and they’re catching a lot of people off guard.

How to spot it:

Toll agencies don’t text you out of the blue demanding payment. If you actually owe a toll, you’ll get a bill in the mail or a notice through your official toll account.

Never click a link in a toll-related text. If you’re worried, log into your toll account directly through the official website or app.

Scammers want you to act before you think.

That’s why almost every scam message includes some version of “act now,” “immediate action required,” or “to avoid penalties.”

The pressure isn’t accidental. It’s the whole strategy.

When you’re rushed, you skip the steps that would normally protect you. You don’t check the URL. You don’t call the company directly. You just react.

The fix: Any time a message makes you feel like you have to act RIGHT NOW, that’s your cue to slow down. Real companies give you time. Scammers don’t.

Job scams are exploding on Craigslist, Facebook, and even LinkedIn.

They usually promise easy work, flexible hours, and great pay. “Make $300-$500 a day from home!” Sound too good to be true? It is.

Here’s the twist that’s catching people lately: task scams.

You apply. You get “hired.” They give you simple online tasks like rating products or reviewing apps. You do the work. Then, to “unlock” your earnings, they ask you to send money first.

Once you send it, they disappear.

Red flags to watch for:

The pay is way too high for the work described. They ask you to communicate on WhatsApp or Telegram instead of official channels. They want you to pay anything upfront.

Real employers pay you. You don’t pay them.

“Alert: Suspicious activity detected on your bank account. A charge of $847.53 has been attempted. If this was NOT you, call immediately: 1–888-XXX-XXXX”

Here’s why this is a scam.

First, your bank already has your phone number. If there’s fraud on your account, they’ll call you or send an alert through their official app. They don’t text you a random 1–800 number to call.

Second, when you call that number, you’re not reaching your bank. You’re reaching the scammer. They’ll ask you to “verify” your account by giving them your login, PIN, or card number.

Third, the specific dollar amount ($847.53) is designed to make it feel real. Scammers know that vague warnings feel fake, so they add details.

What to do: Never call a number from a text like this. If you’re concerned, call your bank using the number on the back of your card or on their official website.