Submitted by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
BATON ROUGE, LA (May 1, 2024) – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has been made aware of a text messaging scam targeting individuals across the country. Scammers are falsely claiming to represent tolling agencies and soliciting payment for outstanding tolls. The scam involves sending text messages that direct recipients to an unaffiliated website, where they are asked to provide personal and financial information to settle alleged balances.
DOTD urges all motorists to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent internet-enabled crimes. It is crucial for everyone to be aware of this ongoing scam and refrain from clicking on any suspicious links they receive via text. DOTD will never request payment through unsolicited messages.
This smishing scam is part of a series of fraudulent activities that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is actively investigating. To address this issue, the FBI recommends the following actions for individuals who receive these fraudulent messages:
1. File a complaint with the IC3, at www.ic3.gov. Be sure to include:
- The phone number from where the text originated.
- The website listed within the text.
2. Check your account using the toll service’s legitimate website.
3. Contact the toll service’s customer service phone number.
4. Delete any smishing texts received.
5. If you clicked any link or provided your information, take efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts. Dispute any unfamiliar charges.
For more information or to report suspicious activity, please contact DOTD at 1-877-452-3683 or visit www.dotd.la.gov.
