REPORT: Since early March, the FBI said it has received more than 2,000 complaints of smishing texts that appear to represent toll collection services.

Beware of Smishing Scams Targeting Toll Collection Services

The Rise of Smishing Scams

According to the FBI, they have received over 2,000 complaints since early March about smishing text messages that appear to be from toll collection services.

Smishing is a type of phishing scam where scammers send deceptive text messages that look like they’re from a legitimate company or government agency in order to trick victims into providing personal or financial information.

The Toll on Consumers

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported receiving a total of 800,944 complaints in 2022, with losses exceeding $10.3 billion.

Phishing schemes, including smishing, were the number one crime type with 300,497 complaints. These scams can have a significant financial and emotional toll on consumers who fall victim to them.

Staying Vigilant Against Smishing

The FBI has warned consumers to be on the lookout for unsolicited text messages, especially those claiming to be from government agencies or companies.

It’s important to never click on links or provide information in response to these types of messages, and to report any suspicious activity to the proper authorities.