New scam targets Pennsylvania drivers

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — A new scam is sweeping across Pennsylvania that targets drivers.

The scammers send text messages claiming to be from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and telling people they have an outstanding toll balance.

The scam offers up a link for people to pay that supposed unpaid balance.

Those who have received a fraudulent text can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center .

Drivers beware there is a new scam sweeping the commonwealth and it is targeting you.

It involves text messages that are supposedly being sent by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission claiming a person has an outstanding balance and this was their chance to pay it off.

28/22 News I-team reporter Andy Mehalshick is working the story, and joins us live near the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Bear Creek Township.

Investigators say this is all about stealing your personal information so they can steal your money, and I can tell you people we spoke with say they almost fell for it.

“I mean it looks real. I can see how people would respond to that and want to pay off the charges,” said Maddy Wharton of Wilkes Barre.

This is a photo of one of the scam texts. It is supposedly from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. It tells the person they have an outstanding balance and they could pay it off or they could face higher financial penalties.

“It’s important we want people to know this is not Pennsylvania Turnpike text. Don’t click on the link. Don’t provide any information. Report it to the FBI,” stated Marissa orbanek, Press Secretary for the PA Turnpike Commission.

Turnpike Commission Press Secretary Marissa Orbanek says they have received thousands of calls from people who received these text messages.

“So people who received the text are given a link to pay their unpaid balance tolls. The people who click on that link it takes you to a website so you can give your financial information, credit card numbers, personal numbers. Once it goes into that link it’s really in the hands of the scammers,” explained Orbanek.

Orbanek says the Turnpike Commission never ever send texts to collect payment of outstanding balances.

“EZ-pass customers get communication through preferred choice through their account. They can log onto their account at any point and see their balance or tolls they paid. Toll by plate customers receive an invoice in the mail,” said Orbanek.

Most people we spoke to received a scam text.

“When I first saw it it came on my phone also. So when I saw it I called my wife and said ‘do we owe any money’? She called the turnpike commission and they say they don’t send texts,” stated Dorian Hixon of Wilkes Barre.

The bottom-line, when in doubt, contact the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. If it is a scam, notify the FBI.

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