The first wave of SMS texting attacks was announced by the FBI in April , with officials warning toll road customers to not trust the fraudulent texts. Customers would be sent a text with a link to a website that purports itself to be the ExpressToll service.
However, after clicking the link, customers were deceived into giving the scammers sensitive information, including credit card information. The scammers’ goal is to ultimately make money off the texts, either through direct payments or by using the provided sensitive information in other ways.
The E-470 toll authority said a recent wave of new text messages has been reported, with messages that include ExpressToll graphics but do not link back to the official site .
This is an example of what recent smishing messages to E-470 customers have looked like. Courtesy the E-470 Public Highway Authority.
“The Authority is taking all measures to ensure that our network remains secure, and that customer information continues to be protected,” E-470’s Director of Technology, Rod Taylor, said in a release. “We just ask that everyone is mindful of these fraudulent texts and responds as directed by the FBI.”
Both ExpressToll and the E-470 Public Highway Authority are not collecting any payment or personal information through text messages.
“For the security of all our customers, we ask that they not click on any links or provide any personal information if they receive a text message regarding tolling matters of any type,” the toll providers said in a joint release.
The FBI recommends that customers receiving one of these texts report it at the Internet Crime Center’s website and include the phone number from where the text originated and the website listed in the text. Never click on the links provided, but if you happen to have done so or have provided any information, make sure to secure personal information and financial accounts.
You can also check on your E-470 or ExpressToll account using the legitimate website, and report the phishing texts to the toll service’s customer service phone number: 303-537-3470.
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