NORTH CAROLINA, USA — NC drivers may be getting a text message of what may seem like is from NC Quick Pass requesting payment. However, before you send your hard-earned money, you need to know that it's a scam.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation said it first was alerted by customers on Wednesday evening.
The text messages falsely claim to be from tolling agencies from across the country and request payments for unpaid tolls. The 'smishing' scheme chooses phone numbers at random.
The phony text reads: "Our records indicate that your vehicle has an unpaid toll invoice. To avoid additional charges of $76.00, please settle your balance of $7.60."
WFMY talked to someone who was shocked when she got that text early Friday morning. She said right away she knew something was off.
"I was really surprised because I haven't had a car in like a year and I didn't think I had gone anywhere that had toll roads but like I said I didn't even know we had toll roads," Kristen Griffith said.
While it might be that easy to spot a scam text there are several red flag that should tip you off. Number one, NC Quick Pass will never ask for money through a text.
"That's the number one thing to look out for. We are not going to ask you for money by sending you a text message," said Angela Queenland, Manager of Customer Service for the Turnpike Authority. "Another thing to look out for, which I think everyone is probably aware of, is looking at the links that are included in any request or any messages. Anything from NC Quick Pass will be linked to either ncquickpass.com or secure.ncquickpass.com."
If you receive a payment request by text and that customers should report any suspicious activity to ic3.gov.
Customers should also delete the message and contact the toll service's customer service phone number.
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