'Toll scam': attempts soar

Toll scam explodes! Scammers send fake SMS messages demanding fees and stealing victims' confidential data. With a 900% increase in searches, the scheme is already affecting large cities.

A scam that has claimed thousands of victims in the United States is becoming one of the most worrying digital fraud schemes of the moment.

called “coup of the toll", the scheme involves fake messages that induce drivers to pay non-existent fees, leading to the theft of personal and financial data.

The situation got so bad that even the FBI and the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued warnings about the increase in attempts of this type of scam.

According to a report by security firm McAfee, the volume of notifications about this scam quadrupled between January and February this year.

The growing sophistication of cybercriminals was also highlighted in a study by Trend Micro, which found an increase in 900% in internet searches about the scam in the last three months.

How does the toll scam work?

The scam is ingenious and takes advantage of psychological pressure to force the victim to act quickly. It works like this:

Victims receive a SMS message informing about an alleged unpaid toll fee, demanding immediate payment;

The SMS contains a fake link that redirects to a phishing site, where information is requested such as driver's license number, bank details and even Social Security;

With this data in hand, criminals can commit identity fraud, make purchases in the victim's name or access bank accounts illegally.

Major cities affected by the coup include Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago and Orlando. Scammers use real company names, such as Peach Pass (Georgia), Sun Pass (Florida) and Texas Tag (Texas), to make the scheme more convincing.

Scammers' strategies: fake websites and forged documents

The success of this scam lies in the criminals' ability to replicate the visual identity of toll companies.

They create fake websites with a professional layout and include digital documents with official logos, simulating a trustworthy environment.

This way, unsuspecting drivers end up providing information without suspecting the fraud.

Recommended for you

Automotive

Company takes over important highway (BR) and tolls will be charged again

Small towns in Paraná are being transformed! With R$1 billion invested, dirt roads are becoming paved avenues, bringing more comfort, safety and development to thousands of families. See how…

Alisson Ficher

0

How to protect yourself from toll scams?

Faced with the growing wave of fraud, digital security experts recommend some actions to avoid falling victim to the scam:

Never click on suspicious links received via SMS or email. If you have any questions, please contact the toll company directly through the official website;

Verify the authenticity of charges accessing your account directly on the toll operator's website, without using links sent by third parties;

Report fraudulent messages through your telephone operator's official channels or through the “report spam” option in messaging apps;

Enable two-step authentication to protect your personal information and prevent unauthorized access to your accounts;

Be aware of grammatical errors and websites with suspicious addresses, as scammers often make mistakes that give away the fraud.

Similar scams in Brazil

Although toll scams are more common in the United States, similar schemes have been reported in Brazil. Brazilian scammers often send fake bills by email or text messages claiming pending issues with services such as automatic tolls, traffic fines and even municipal taxes.

Cases of digital fraud in Brazil have increased significantly in recent years, according to reports from financial institutions and digital security companies. Companies such as Sem Parar and ConectCar have already issued warnings about similar scam attempts in the country.

Authorities step up investigation

McAfee warns that attempts of this type of scam are likely to increase in the coming months. Therefore, it is essential that drivers inform yourself and be alert to any suspicious approach.

In the United States, investigations are being conducted by the FBI and the FTC, which recommend report any attempted coup on official platforms, such as the IdentityTheft.gov website.

In Brazil, institutions such as Procon and the Civil Police receive reports of digital scams and offer support to victims.

With the advance of technology, Digital fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect. The best way to protect yourself is to stay informed and adopt digital security practices in your daily life.