Beware of text messages claiming you owe a balance on your toll road account—they might be part of a scam. The FBI warns that these messages are designed to steal your login credentials.
Understanding Toll Balance Scams
According to the FBI, these fraudulent texts often direct you to a fake website that looks like a state toll service site. The aim is to trick you into entering your toll account username and password, which criminals can use to access other accounts if you reuse passwords.
FBI agent Keith Custer explained to our Telemundo colleague, Liz Gonzalez, that this type of scam, known as credential harvesting, involves collecting usernames and passwords to gain access to financial accounts, potentially causing significant damage.
The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) advises against clicking on or responding to suspicious messages. For account inquiries, visit the NTTA website or call them directly. They are aware of the issue and emphasize that they safeguard user information diligently.
Recognizing a Scam
Scam messages may not always be obvious. Be cautious of any message that pressures you to act quickly. Verify the authenticity of any suspicious texts by not responding to them. Use the contact information from your official account statements instead of interacting with the message directly.
Protecting Your Accounts
– Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts.
– Use unique passwords with at least 12 characters, including a mix of symbols, upper and lower-case letters.
– Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your accounts when available. This adds an extra verification step to your login process, such as a code sent to your phone or email.
– Be cautious with MFA codes; never share them with anyone. If you receive a code you didn’t request, it may indicate that your password is compromised.
For instructions on setting up MFA, visit these links for Google, Facebook, and Microsoft accounts.
If you’ve fallen victim to a scam, the FTC provides detailed steps on how to respond depending on the information exposed.
NBC 5 Responds is here to help you address your concerns and recover your money. Contact us at 844-5RESPND (844-573-7763) or complete our customer complaint form for assistance.
