E-ZPass Text Message Scam Targeting Residents, Princeton Police Warn

PRINCETON, NJ — A new text message scam that impersonates E-ZPass, the electronic toll collection system used on highways and bridges throughout the Northeast, is targeting drivers in the region, Princeton police warned.

The fraudulent messages claim recipients have unpaid tolls and direct them to click on a payment link to resolve the issue. However, these texts are completely fake, and the links lead to scam websites designed to steal personal and financial information.

Scammers send text messages that appear to come from E-ZPass, typically stating that the recipient owes money for unpaid tolls or violations. The messages create a sense of urgency and include a link that victims are told to click to make a payment.

It's important to know that E-ZPass will never send text messages asking for payment or requesting personal information, police said. All legitimate communications about tolls, violations, or account issues come through official channels, including the E-ZPass website, mobile app, or postal mail.

If residents receive a suspicious text claiming to be from E-ZPass, follow these steps:

• Don't click on any links in the message. Scammers use these links to steal your personal and financial information.
• Verify your account status by logging into your official E-ZPass account through the legitimate website or mobile app to check for any real violations or unpaid tolls.
• Review your statements regularly to look for any unusual activity or unauthorized charges on your E-ZPass account.
• Report the scam to E-ZPass Customer Service at (888) 288-6865 to help them track these fraudulent activities.

Be suspicious of any text message that:

• Claims you owe money for tolls

• Creates urgency with threats of additional fees or penalties

• Asks you to click a link to make a payment

• Requests personal information like Social Security numbers or credit card details

• Contains spelling errors or looks unprofessional

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