Text Scam Hits Illinois Drivers with Fake Tollway Balance Notices

If you've received a text from an unusual phone number or email address saying you have an outstanding balance on your Illinois tollway account, it's most likely a scam.

I got multiple texts from this suspicious email address "eedhanfelmus93@hotmail.com" and a few different unknown numbers saying the following:

"The Toll Roads Notice of Toll Evasion: You have an unpaid toll bill on your account. To avoid late fees, pay within 12 hours or the late fees will be increased and reported to the DMV.

https://thetollroadspaytollqqq.world/us

(Please reply Y, then exit the text message and open it again to activate the link, or copy the link to your Safari browser and open it)

The Toll Roads team wishes you a great day!"

This is what the text looks like:

TSM/Canva

I knew I had been through a few different tolls recently since I went out of town for different occasions, but I didn't think there would be late fees so soon.

Just to ensure this was totally real, I visited the verified Illinois Tollway's website to see if they were reporting any phishing scams going around. Sure enough, they did!

This is the first message that pops up when the site loads.

TSM Screenshot

Illinois Tollway's team says they've been alerted by many about the text phishing scam claiming residents owe money for unpaid tolls and/or detailing a specific outstanding toll amount. "These are no legitimate messages from the Illinois Tollway."

If you receive a text, please check your account online here or call our customer service center at 1-800-UC-IPASS (1-800-824-7277) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. If you receive a phishing text, please file a complaint at www.ic3.gov. That is a site dedicated to sharing information on Internet crimes across law enforcement agencies. [illinois tollway]

If you have gotten the same text from a suspicious email address or phone number, report it as soon as possible to ic3.gov. Don't fall victim to this scam!

Double check to see if you really do have an outstanding balance with the Illinois Tollway, it might be possible you really do and just haven't gotten a notice yet.

The Most Bizarre Items Ever Stolen From Illinois Residents

My mom once told me that "people will steal anything that's not nailed down." Times certainly have changed since then. The thieves now have nail removers.

Gallery Credit: Facebook