Picture this: You’re eating breakfast when your phone buzzes. It’s a text saying you owe $25 for unpaid tolls on your E-ZPass account. The message looks real, and it even has a link to pay right away.
This could be the E-ZPass NY scam, where sneaky people send fake messages to trick you into giving them your money or personal info. Tons of New Yorkers are getting these texts and emails, but you don’t have to fall for it.
In this blog post, we’ll show you what this scam is, how it works, and how to keep yourself safe. Stick around to learn everything you need to know!
Table of Contents
What Is the E-ZPass NY Scam?
The E-ZPass NY scam happens when bad people pretend to be E-ZPass or Tolls by Mail. They send you texts or emails saying you owe money for tolls you didn’t pay. These messages sound urgent, like you’ll get a big fine if you don’t act fast. But it’s a trick! The scammers don’t care about tolls—they want your personal stuff, like your credit card number or name, so they can steal from you.
Lots of people use E-ZPass to pay tolls in New York, so scammers know they can fool some of them. They make their messages look real, but they’re fake. The real E-ZPass won’t send you texts asking for money or info out of the blue.
This scam has been around for a while, and news reports say it’s getting worse. Knowing what it is can help you stay safe from these sneaky tricks.
How Does the E-ZPass NY Scam Work?
Scammers have a plan to trick you, and it’s pretty simple. First, they send a text or email that says you owe money for tolls. It might say, “Pay $30 now or get a $100 fine.”
Next, they put a link in the message. If you click it, you go to a website that looks like the real E-ZPass site—but it’s not. It’s a fake page they made to grab your info. When you type in your credit card or E-ZPass account details, they steal it fast.
After that, scammers can use your info to take money from your bank or buy stuff. The real E-ZPass doesn’t work this way—they send bills by mail or let you check online. Knowing their steps can stop you from falling into their trap.
How Can You Tell It’s a Scam?
Spotting a scam isn’t hard if you know what to look for. Check where the message comes from. Real E-ZPass texts come from a number like 39769 and start with “EZPNY.” Fake ones might come from weird numbers or emails that don’t end in e-zpassny.com.
Look at the words too. Scammers sometimes spell things wrong or use bad grammar. If you see mistakes, it’s a big clue the message is fake. Also, real E-ZPass won’t ask for your info like credit card numbers in a text or email.
Finally, watch the links. Official links go to e-zpassny.com or tollsbymailny.com. If it’s something else, don’t click it. These tips can help you figure out what’s real and what’s not.
What Should You Do If You Get a Scam Text?
Got a weird text about E-ZPass? Don’t freak out—here’s what to do. Don’t answer it. Even texting “STOP” can tell scammers your number works, so just ignore it.
Next, don’t click any links. Those links can take you to bad websites or put junk on your phone. Delete the message right away so you don’t click by mistake later.
You can also tell someone about it. Report the scam to the FBI at www.ic3.gov. It’s fast and helps stop scammers from bugging other people. Doing these things keeps you safe and out of trouble.
How Can You Keep Yourself Safe?
Staying safe from this scam is easy with a few smart moves. Check your E-ZPass account yourself. Go to e-zpassny.com and log in—don’t use links from texts or emails.
If you need to talk to E-ZPass, use their real number: 1-800-333-8655. For Tolls by Mail, call 1-844-826-8400. Don’t trust numbers in random messages. Block strange numbers on your phone to stop more scam texts from coming.
Keep learning about scams too. The New York State Thruway Authority posts updates online. Following these steps makes it hard for scammers to trick you.
Why Do Scammers Pick E-ZPass Users?
Scammers love targeting E-ZPass users for a few reasons. Lots of people use it. Millions of drivers in New York have E-ZPass, so scammers have a big group to try and trick.
They also know people get busy. If you’re rushing, you might not check if a message is real before clicking. That’s what they’re counting on. Plus, E-ZPass accounts have valuable info like credit cards, which scammers can use to steal money.
Understanding why they do it can help you stay extra careful. Scammers want easy targets, but you don’t have to be one!
Stories of People Who Faced the Scam
Real stories show how sneaky this scam can be. Take Mike from Albany. He got a text saying he owed $40 for tolls. He almost clicked the link, but he called E-ZPass instead and found out it was fake.
Then there’s Lisa from Rochester. She got an email with a link to pay a toll. She noticed the email address looked funny—not like the real E-ZPass one. She deleted it and checked her account online. Nothing was wrong!
These people stayed safe because they didn’t trust the messages. Their stories can remind you to double-check before you act.
What Happens If You Click a Fake Link?
Clicking a scam link by mistake can cause problems, but you can fix it. You might end up on a fake website asking for your info. If you type anything in, scammers can take it and use it.
Sometimes, clicking downloads bad stuff to your phone or computer. It might spy on you or lock your stuff until you pay. Close the page fast if you click by accident, and don’t enter any info.
Tell your bank or credit card company right away if you think something’s wrong. Change your E-ZPass password too. Acting quick can stop scammers from doing more harm.
What Are Officials Doing About It?
People in charge are fighting back against the scam. The New York State Thruway Authority puts warnings on their website and social media. They tell everyone to watch out for fake texts and emails.
They’re also teaching people how to spot scams and what to do. Plus, they work with the FBI to find the scammers and stop them.
Even with all this help, you still need to stay smart. Officials can’t catch every scammer, so your careful habits make a big difference.
How Do You Report a Scam?
Reporting a scam is a great way to help stop it. You can go to www.ic3.gov and tell the FBI what happened. It takes a few minutes and helps them track the bad guys.
Another place is the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. They collect scam reports too. If you lost money or info, tell your local police so they can help you.
Reporting doesn’t take long, and it keeps scammers from tricking more people. You’re like a hero when you do it!
FAQs About the E-ZPass NY Scam
What Does Smishing Mean?
Smishing is when scammers send texts to trick you into giving them your info. It’s like email scams, but with text messages instead.
How Do I Know a Text Is Real?
Real E-ZPass texts come from 39769 and start with “EZPNY.” They only link to e-zpassny.com or tollsbymailny.com—not random sites.
Will I Get in Trouble If I Don’t Pay a Scam Toll?
No, it’s fake, so you don’t owe anything. Just delete the message and don’t worry about it.
What If I Think I Got Scammed?
Call your bank or credit card company fast. Change your E-ZPass password and report it to the FBI or FTC.
How Do I Check My E-ZPass Balance?
Go to e-zpassny.com or call 1-800-333-8655. Don’t use links from texts or emails to check it.
