The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a fresh warning to Americans regarding a surge in smishing scams targeting both Android and iPhone users. The agency has urged individuals to immediately delete suspicious text messages to avoid falling victim to cybercriminals attempting to steal credit card details, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive information.
Cybercriminals have reportedly registered over 10,000 fraudulent domains as part of an elaborate scam designed to trick users into disclosing their financial and personal data. According to cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42, this large-scale operation lures victims into providing debit/credit card details and account information.
Recent reports reveal that scammers are sending deceptive messages related to unpaid toll violations, urging recipients to pay immediately to avoid additional fees.
One such fraudulent text received by a North Carolina resident on March 11, 2025, read:
"The Toll Roads Notice of Toll Evasion: You have an unpaid toll bill on your account. To avoid late fees, pay within 12 hours or the late fees will be increased and reported to the DMV. (Please reply Y, then exit the text message and open it again to activate the link, or copy the link to your Safari browser and open it) The Toll Roads team wishes you a great day!"
The FBI has warned that these fraudulent messages are tailored to specific states, making them appear more convincing. Official toll service providers, such as NC Quick Pass, have clarified that they do not request payments via text messages.
NC Quick Pass further assured customers:
"We only send messages from our secure short code 696277. Any legitimate links will include ncquickpass.com or secure.ncquickpass.com."
Smishing fraud has been a persistent issue in the United States. According to cybersecurity experts at Bleeping Computer, fraudulent toll payment texts have been widely distributed across multiple cities, prompting local authorities to issue urgent warnings. Some of the affected cities include:
To protect yourself from smishing scams:
✅ Do not click on suspicious links or reply to unknown messages.
✅ Verify payment requests by visiting official websites directly.
✅ Check official sources such as your toll provider’s website before making any payments.
✅ Report smishing texts to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or your local cybercrime unit.
Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics. Staying cautious and informed is the best defense against falling victim to these sophisticated scams.
FBI has warned about a smishing texts scam. (Photo credit: Unsplash)
