Cash-free toll lanes have improved driving convenience, but they also have led to a surge in text message scams. If you’ve gotten a message claiming an unpaid toll, you’re not alone. Many drivers nationwide, including in New Jersey – have reported similar suspicious texts.

How the Scam Works

Scammers will send a text pretending to be from a toll collection service such as E-ZPass, claiming you owe a balance and that your account will be suspended if you don’t pay immediately. The message usually includes a link that leads to a fake payment site designed to steal your personal and financial information.

These messages can sometimes make you feel a false sense of urgency, encouraging you to act quickly without giving yourself time to think. That’s exactly what they want. Scammers rely on panic so you’ll click before you even question the message.

Where do scammers get your number in the first place? Often from data breaches, people-search websites, or lists purchased on the dark web. They also rely on caller and sender ID spoofing to make a text look like it’s coming from a legitimate short code, so the fact that a message appears to come from “E-ZPass” tells you nothing about who actually sent it. Because these lists are typically bought in bulk and sent out to thousands of numbers at once, you may get a toll scam text even if you don’t own a car, don’t have an E-ZPass account, or have never driven through the state named in the message.

What a Scam Text Might Look Like

Below are two examples of the kind of unpaid toll scam texts you might receive. Details like the agency name and link will vary, but the pattern typically stays the same:

“E-ZPass: Your account has an unpaid toll of $6.99. To avoid a late fee and possible suspension of driving privileges, pay now: ezpass-nj-tollpay.com. Reply within 24 hours.”

“Toll Services: Final notice. Outstanding balance on your account will be sent to collections and may affect your credit if unpaid. Settle now: tollpay-notice.net”

Notice the pressure tactics in both message examples: A small, believable dollar amount, a countdown, and a threat if you don’t act. The link is also the giveaway. A genuine E-ZPass New Jersey link will appear as ezpassnj.com, not a lookalike domain.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

• Receiving a text at all. Most toll agencies don’t text final payment reminders – they typically will bill through your account, email, or regular mail.
• The message threatens fines, legal action or license suspension if you don’t pay right away.
• The link looks slightly off. Scammers often use web addresses that are close to, but not quite – the real toll agency’s website.
• The sender’s number looks unusual, such as an international number, or the greeting is generic (“Dear Customer”) instead of using your name.
• You’re asked to pay through an unusual method, like a gift card or wire transfer.

Other Toll Scam Variations to Know

E-ZPass is the most commonly impersonated toll brand in our region, since it covers tolls throughout New Jersey and much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. However, it isn’t the only one scammers borrow. Similar scam texts have circulated using the names of FasTrak in California, I-PASS in Illinois, SunPass in Florida, and Peach Pass in Georgia. If you receive a “toll violation” text referencing a state or toll system you’ve never used, that alone is a strong sign the message is fraudulent.

What to Do if You Get One of These Texts

• Don’t click the link or reply to the message, even to say “stop.”
• Check your account directly. Login to your toll account through the official app or website, or call the customer service number listed there – not one included in the text.
• Block the sender to help prevent future attempts.
• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/, or file a complaint with the FCC.
• If you already clicked the link and entered any personal or financial information, contact your financial institution right away.

Quick Questions, Quick Answers

Will E-ZPass text me about payment collection? No. E-ZPass and most other toll agencies don’t send final payment reminders by text. If your account is genuinely past due, you’ll typically see it reflected in your account balance, an email or physical mail. Learn more about NJ E-Z Pass text scams from the NJ Turnpike Authority.

How do I check if I actually owe a toll? Go directly to your toll agency’s official website or app and login to check your balance. Don’t use a link or number provided in a text message that you weren’t expecting.

I already clicked the scam link. What now? Don’t panic, but do act quickly. If you entered any account numbers, card details, or your Social Security Number – contact your financial institution right away. You may also want to consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus. If you only clicked the link but didn’t enter information – it’s still a good idea to run a security scan on your device, since some phishing links attempt to install malware in the background.

The safest scam prevention habit is a simple one: Treat any unexpected text asking you to click a link and pay immediately as suspicious by default, whether it claims to be about a toll, a package delivery, or an account alert. Verifying independently through an app, website or phone number you already trust – takes an extra minute, but closes the door on nearly every version of this scam.

At First Financial, keeping your accounts and personal information safe is always top priority. If you ever receive a suspicious message referencing one of your First Financial accounts, give us a call at 732.312.1500 or stop by your local branch.

For more tips on spotting scams, check out our Important Alerts and Scams collection on our First Scoop Blog.