Did you receive a text from the “Illinois Tollway” about an unpaid toll? You might want to pay close attention.
Over the Fourth of July holiday week, several residents reported receiving a text message about an unpaid toll. The message read, “Our records indicate that your vehicle has an unpaid toll invoice,” and urged drivers to click a URL to “settle your balance.”
However, this message did not come from the official Illinois Tollway. In fact, it is a phishing scam. The Illinois Tollway is warning I-PASS customers to disregard any texts from “Illinois tollway” that claim to have a specific outstanding toll amount. If you receive a text like this, please check your account online at www.illinoistollway.com or call the customer service center at 1-800-UC-IPASS.
The Illinois Tollway is taking this matter seriously and is urging anyone who receives such text messages to delete them immediately. They have also asked customers to report any suspicious texts to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
This is not the first time the Illinois Tollway has issued a warning about phishing scams. In March, they received reports of similar texts from an out-of-state number, targeting I-PASS customers. The Illinois Tollway confirmed that these texts were also phishing-related.
The Illinois Tollway has taken immediate action to take down the phony website responsible for these phishing texts. They have worked closely with the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology and federal authorities to address this issue.
If you have received a text like this, here’s what you should do and questions you should ask, according to the Tollway:
WHAT TO DO
– When you recognize a phishing message, do not click on any links or attachments.
– Delete the email message from your inbox and empty it from the deleted items folder to avoid accidentally accessing the websites to which it points.
– Forward suspicious emails that appear to be from the Illinois Tollway to [email protected].
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
– Asks for personal information: Phishing emails often request personal information such as credit card or account information, passwords, etc. Legitimate emails will never ask you to perform security-related changes to your account or send emails to collect user names, passwords, email addresses, or other personal information through email.
– Official-looking sender’s email address: The “From” line may include an email address that appears legitimate.
– False claims: Many phishing emails make false claims about the status of your account and ask you to update or validate your account by clicking on an embedded link in the email. Some may also include a false sense of urgency and state that your account may be in jeopardy if it is not updated immediately.
– Fake links: Phishing emails often include links that look valid but actually send you to a spoof site. Never click on these links as the URL (web page address) shown may appear legitimate but may actually display a different URL when you hover over the link with your mouse.
– Attachments: Never click on attachments as they may cause you to download spyware or a virus.
– Spelling and poor grammar: Many phishing emails contain typos and poor grammar in the content.
– Fake graphics: Scam artists use graphics in emails that appear to be connected to legitimate websites but actually take you to phony scam sites or legitimate-looking pop-up windows.
Earlier this year, the Illinois Tollway made a major change for I-PASS customers, switching from windshield transponders to stickers. The agency stated, “The Illinois Tollway is continuing to adopt new tolling technology as it evolves, and I-PASS Sticker Tags mark the latest development in toll collection. Sticker tags are being adopted by toll agencies across the country and by the Illinois Tollway as they provide a convenient, reliable, and less expensive travel experience for our customers.”
More information about I-PASS stickers and how they work can be found on the Illinois Tollway’s website.
In conclusion, if you have received a text from “Illinois Tollway” about an unpaid toll, do not click on any links or provide any personal information. It is a phishing scam. Instead, delete the message and report it to the authorities. The Illinois Tollway is committed to ensuring the safety and security of its customers and will continue to take necessary steps to prevent such scams in the future.
