Don’t fall for it: Texting scam demands drivers pay Pa. Turnpike toll balance

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Have you recently received a text about unpaid tolls supposedly from the Pennsylvania Turnpike? It’s bogus, and officials said the scam is making the rounds again.

The text purports to be from the “Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Services” and claims that if you don’t pay your toll balance of $8.60, you’ll face a charge of $86. The text includes a link where you can pay — but don’t click on it.

“This is a scam that’s been hitting tolling agencies nationally,” said Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission spokesperson Marissa Orbanek, “and it is back again in Pennsylvania, targeting residents with a Pennsylvania phone number.”

She said the “smishing” scammers are trying to get your personal information.

Since turnpike officials first informed the public about the scam over the weekend, more than 2,000 people have called in to report fake texts, Orbanek said.

She also assured that there has been no breach of the turnpike’s data systems. “This is something that really is being sent to random Pennsylvania cell phone numbers.”

Anyone with questions about their account should log into their E-ZPass account or contact the Pennsylvania Turnpike directly.