Beware: Highway Toll Scams Are Skyrocketing, Apple Can't Stop Them

Highway Toll Text Scams on the Rise Highway text scams concerning alleged automated toll road fees are becoming increasingly prevalent, affecting smartphone users across the United States. According to Trend Micro, there has been a 900% increase in searches for 'toll road scams,' indicating a significant rise in affected individuals. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning following over 2,000 complaints received in the past month.

Scam Breakdown

The scam works by sending messages to potential targets, claiming they must pay a toll fee or face fines and penalties. These messages often reference specific state-specific systems like EZ-Pass, Sun Pass, or Texas Tag to appear more credible. The low cost demanded (a few dollars) is intended to seem trivial enough for victims to pay without verifying the legitimacy of the message. However, the real goal is to obtain personal information and payment details, which can be used for further fraud.

Apple's Safety Measures

Apple has implemented safety features to strip links from suspicious messages, but scammers have found ways around these measures. Messages may still prompt users to reply with 'Y' or re-open the text to activate a link. Despite efforts, the scale of the scam, involving at least 60,000 domain names and cheap phone numbers, has made it difficult to contain.

Protection Tips

While it's challenging to prevent these messages from arriving, users can take several steps to protect themselves:

• Block and Report: Users can block and report the sender on their iPhone.
• File a Complaint: The FBI advises filing a complaint through the IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Center.
• Delete Messages: After reporting, delete the scam messages to avoid accidental interaction.