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E-ZPass toll payment texts have become the target of a massive phishing wave, with scammers attempting to steal personal and credit card information from unsuspecting recipients. Learn how you can protect yourself against this type of scam and stay informed about emerging phishing trends in our latest article.
E-ZPass toll payment texts are being targeted by a massive phishing wave, with scammers attempting to steal personal and credit card information.The FBI had previously warned about this type of scam in April 2024, but the surge in messages has taken the situation to a new level.Scammers use language that creates a sense of urgency to gain the trust of unsuspecting recipients and attempt to steal personal information.The tactics employed by scammers are sophisticated, with links that take victims to phishing sites impersonating E-ZPass or other toll authorities.The messages can bypass anti-spam measures on Apple devices, making it difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate and malicious messages.The volume of these messages has become overwhelming, with some recipients receiving up to seven texts per day.Platforms like Lucid are used to send large volumes of text without incurring the costs associated with standard SMS delivery.Consumers can protect themselves by blocking the number from which the message was sent and reporting it to Apple's consumer protection department.A more effective approach is to verify toll payments by logging into the toll authority's website directly.The FBI recommends filing a complaint at the IC3 portal to track down scammers responsible for these messages.
An alarming trend has emerged in recent weeks, with E-ZPass toll payment texts becoming the focal point of a massive phishing wave. The sudden surge in these malicious messages has left consumers on high alert, as scammers attempt to steal their personal and credit card information.
According to recent reports, the FBI had previously warned about this type of scam in April 2024. However, the sheer volume of these messages has taken the situation to a whole new level. The BleepingComputer website has received multiple reports of a surge in this mobile phishing campaign, with recipients receiving multiple iMessage and SMS texts from seemingly random email addresses.
These text messages bypass traditional anti-spam measures and come directly from E-ZPass or the Department of Motor Vehicles. They use language that creates a sense of urgency, stating that toll payments need to be settled by a certain deadline in order to avoid fines, license suspensions, or other penalties.
The tactics employed by these scammers are quite sophisticated. The messages are designed to appear as if they are coming from legitimate sources, with the intent of gaining the trust of unsuspecting recipients. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that these messages contain a number of red flags.
For instance, the texts often embed links that, if clicked, take the victim to a phishing site impersonating E-ZPass or another toll authority. The scammers then attempt to steal personal information, including names, email addresses, physical addresses, and credit card numbers.
The most concerning aspect of these messages is their ability to bypass anti-spam measures on Apple devices. When users tap on links provided in the message, they are taken directly to a phishing site that appears remarkably similar to the legitimate E-ZPass website.
This tactic relies heavily on the fact that some scammers have created a tool that can automatically load on mobile devices when an iMessage link is clicked. This allows them to bypass Apple's security features and get their victims to click through the malicious links more easily.
The volume of these messages has become so overwhelming that users are receiving up to seven texts per day, with many expressing frustration over the frequency and persistence of these particular scam attempts.
While the origin of the messages remains unknown at this time, recent reports have linked these types of scams to an emerging phishing-as-a-service platform called Lucid. Platforms like Lucid and Darcula use encrypted iMessage and RCS messages to bypass traditional anti-spam filters and send large volumes of text without incurring the costs associated with standard SMS delivery.
In light of this situation, it is essential for consumers to take extra precautions when receiving these types of messages. The first step is to block the number from which the message was sent, thereby preventing further communication between the two parties.
Furthermore, users are advised to report the number to Apple's consumer protection department, as they will be able to track down the email address or phone number and take necessary action against the scammers involved.
A more effective approach would be for consumers to verify that their toll payments are in order by logging into their toll authority's website directly. This should help eliminate any confusion between legitimate messages and malicious phishing attempts.
The FBI has also recommended that recipients file a complaint at the IC3 portal, which can provide valuable assistance in tracking down the scammers responsible for these messages.
In conclusion, while this may seem like a minor issue to some, it is crucial for consumers to be aware of these tactics and take necessary precautions to protect themselves. By staying informed and taking proactive steps to prevent falling victim to these phishing attempts, we can all contribute to reducing the scale of these massive phishing campaigns.
E-ZPass toll payment texts have become the target of a massive phishing wave, with scammers attempting to steal personal and credit card information from unsuspecting recipients. Learn how you can protect yourself against this type of scam and stay informed about emerging phishing trends in our latest article.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/E-ZPass-Toll-Payment-Texts-Turn-into-Massive-Phishing-Wave-A-Growing-Concern-for-Consumers-ehn.shtml
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/toll-payment-text-scam-returns-in-massive-phishing-wave/
https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2025/04/02/e-zpass-text-scam-ezpass-toll-road-text-scam-ezdrivema-spear-phishing-unpaid-toll-payment-apple-pay/82775537007/
Published: Sun Apr 6 16:01:43 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
