If you received a text claiming to be from SunPass and warning you about unpaid tolls, don’t click on the link.
It's another phishing scam.
SunPass posted a warning on its website, warning customers the messages were not sent by SunPass and are a phishing scam targeting the public.
" SunPass does not ask customers via text to make a payment or to take immediate action on their account
It's not the first time a scam has tried to target SunPass users. Here's what you should know about the most recent scam.
Text warns SunPass users about unpaid tolls
Texts have been sent to many SunPass customers, warning them about unpaid tolls. To avoid additional charges they need to "settle" their balance. A link is provided.
Do NOT click on the link. It goes "to a fraudulent website in an attempt to collect information," Sunpass warned customers on its website.
SunPass does not ask customers via text to make payments
"Please note that SunPass does not ask customers via text to make a payment or to take immediate action on their account. If SunPass needs to contact its customers, it will appear as follows:
- Email: customerservice@sunpass.com or noreply@sunpass.com
- Text: 786727
Read SunPass full statement about the scam
Was SunPass hacked?
"To our knowledge SunPass has not been compromised and we are diligently monitoring the system," SunPass posted on its website.
False SunPass texts use classic scam tactic
The scam may look legitimate, but always use caution, especially if there is a sense of urgency to do something.
In this case, the text requests customers to click on a link to avoid additional charges and settle their balance. That link goes to a fraudulent website not associated with SunPass.
SunPass customers have been targeted by scammers in the past
In May, Florida residents also received text messages notifying them about an outstanding charge on their SunPass toll road payments.
Tapping the link in the message brought people to legitimate-looking SunPass websites where they would be charged the amount. The sites were fraudulent, State Attorney General Ashley Moody said at the time.
Ten fake websites were shut down by the Florida Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit, including:
- sunpass-service.com
- sunpass-help.com
- sunpass-online.com
- sunpass-florida.com
- sunpass-toll.com
- sunpass-tolls.com
- sunpass-express.com
- service-sunpass.com
- tolls-sunpass.com
- web-sunpass.com
What is the real SunPass website?
The real SunPass website is sunpass.com .
The link in the most recent text was to sunpasstollsbill.com. And to repeat, that is a fraudulent website. Do not click on the link to make a payment or submit personal information.
What should you do if you received the SunPass text?
The best advice to follow any time you receive an unsolicited text or call is to:
- Never click on a link. Instead, go to the SunPass website and check your account there.
- Never provide personal information when contacted by an unsolicited caller.
What is smishing and phishing?
According to the FBI, " smishing " is a "social engineering attack using fake text messages to trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information, or sending money to cybercriminals."
"Smishing" is a combination of "SMS" ("short message service," or what everyone just calls texts now) and "phishing."
" Phishing " is a more general term for sending fake messages to try and get you to reveal personal information like credit card numbers or passwords.
How to report fraud in Florida
Here's how to report fraud in Florida:
Contributing: Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Did you get a SunPass text warning you about unpaid tolls? There's another a scam. What to do
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