'Delete And Don’t Respond': MN Drivers Warned About New Text Scam

ST. PAUL, MN — Minnesota drivers are being warned about the new wave of fraudulent messages claiming to come from the official E-ZPass program or the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The scam text and email messages are being sent across the state, falsely claiming the recipient owes money for tolls and must pay immediately through a link provided.

But don’t be fooled: MnDOT says these messages are fake, and clicking the links could put your personal and financial information at risk.

"This is a scam! We will never text or email you asking for payment or personal information," MnDOT states on their website. "Delete and don’t respond." Don’t set up an account due to a text or email scam.

The messages sometimes mention "E-ZPass" or may claim to be from "MnDOT."

State officials emphasize that no data breach has occurred. Scammers are casting a wide net, randomly targeting phone numbers and email addresses across the board, not just E-ZPass users.

If you receive a suspicious message, delete it immediately and don’t click on any links. If your device offers the option, mark the message as "junk" or "spam." This helps your phone or email provider filter similar messages in the future.

Officials also say to not create a new or alternative E-ZPass account in response to these scams.

If you already clicked on a suspicious link or shared personal information, take steps right away to secure your financial accounts and protect your identity.

You can also report fraud activity to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center or the Federal Trade Commission.