E-ZPass to New York commuters: Beware of scam texts seeking toll fees

E-ZPass is warning about a text message scam in which unsuspecting commuters are tricked into providing payment and personal information.

Customers have received texts claiming to come from “NY Toll Services” and seeking to collect tolls, according to E-ZPass. The messages may include a fraudulent website phishing for payment or other information.

Toll officials said the messages and website are not authorized by E-ZPass or other toll agencies. Anyone who gets the text claiming to be from a toll provider is urged not to click on the website link and delete the message.

“E-ZPass New York will never ask” for a customer’s date of birth, Social Security number or other personally identifiable information, toll officials said in a message posted on EZPassNY.com. Authentic communications from E-ZPass New York will just refer customers to EZPassNY.com and TollsByMailNY.com, they said.

Anyone who receives a fraudulent text message can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. The database shares information on internet crimes with law enforcement agencies nationwide.

Text message and phishing scams have been reported in other states using E-ZPass.

The MTA previously issued warnings about a scam email to E-ZPass customers, which may look like it appears from the E-ZPass Service Center and asks customers to download a list of unpaid tolls.

Phishers, who can seek “verification information,” may also threaten severe penalties if users don’t comply. The websites can appear to be legitimate and ask for anything from a home address to banking information, according to E-ZPass.

Messages may include spelling errors or suspicious URLs in the website address.

Anyone who suspects they may have received a fraudulent message can contact E-ZPass NY customer service at 1-800-333-8655.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.