The Michigan Department of Transportation is warning everyone not to fall for a toll road scam that’s been going around lately.
MDOT Spokesperson Jocelyn Garza tells us people are receiving text messages claiming to be from the department and telling them they owe money for unpaid tolls and must pay immediately. That might sound strange to some because Michigan doesn’t have any toll roads.
“That’s one of the reasons that it is so concerning that people are receiving this scam,” Garza said. “It seems to be mostly being conducted through text messages. So people are receiving a text message, often it sounds somewhat threatening, that they’ve got a past due balance and that to avoid additional late fees, they need to click on a link and enter credit card information immediately to pay off that debt.”
Garza says the state has a few bridges that charge tolls, but no toll roads. She wants everyone to know such a message is not legitimate.
“We wouldn’t issue a request for a payment through a text messaging means for even the bridge location. So this is very concerning that it’s so widespread.”
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued an alert to Michigan drivers warning them about this toll scam. She says MDOT would never demand immediate payment or request personal information through email, over the phone or text.
Garza says if you get such a message, don’t respond and don’t click any link it might include. She says the messages spoof the real MDOT website, making them appear legitimate when they are not.
