South Florida drivers have become targets of a recent scam involving text messages and emails demanding payment for supposed unpaid tolls.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has reported receiving thousands of complaints about such scams over the past year. These fraudulent messages, designed to appear legitimate, have also been identified in other states, including Central Florida, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
A recent alert involves a message received by a team member from a local news outlet, which claimed to be a ‘final reminder’ to settle unpaid tolls. The Department of Transportation clarified that these communications were unauthorized and did not originate from them. A department spokesperson emphasized, ‘Sunpass does not ask customers via text to make a payment or to take immediate action on their account.’
Such scams instruct recipients to copy and paste a link into their web browsers, a move cybersecurity specialists deem highly suspicious. Eva Velasquez from the Identity Theft Resource Center highlighted the sophistication of these scams, noting, ‘The real challenge for people here is that all of the communication, the websites, anything that’s incoming or when they’re clicking on the links, it is so legitimate looking. These are sophisticated scams.’ Scammers aim to extract credit card information, login credentials, or potentially gain device access. Identifying phishing attacks is crucial to safeguarding personal data.
Experts advise remaining vigilant for unusual sender email addresses, grammatical errors, and unknown links. Warning signs include threatening language or an urgent call to action, often indicating potential fraud. Velasquez advises using unique, lengthy passwords and avoiding repetition across accounts. In cases where individuals encounter such suspicious notifications, they should promptly report the matter to the FBI’s Internet Crime Center at IC3.gov.
South Florida residents who continue to receive these messages are urged to exercise caution. The Department of Transportation is investigating specific cases but has yet to respond to certain inquiries. Meanwhile, online safety remains a priority, with authorities encouraging the public to remain informed and cautious.
To protect yourself from these scams, be alert to fraudulent messages and verify through official channels. It’s essential to stay informed about potential threats and prioritize your cybersecurity.
Source: Nbcmiami
