Don't fall for this Ohio Turnpike text scam

The above text message isn't really from the Ohio Turnpike. It's a scam, which I almost learned the hard way.

Between the lines: In the past, I've received legitimate mailer notices from other states like New York and Pennsylvania about toll booths where I'd missed payments.

• Sleep-deprived and unsuspecting, I started filling out my personal information for the Ohio notice — until I got to the credit card form.
• I quickly searched Google just to be safe.

What I found: This story about a "very realistic toll scam."

• 😮‍💨 Phew. That was close.

The bottom line: More Americans are falling victim to financial scams than ever before, we reported earlier this year .

• I'm glad I didn't become one of them.