UMVA has learned that a new wave of text scams, also known as smishing, has been sweeping across the United States, targeting travelers with fake messages claiming they owe money for unpaid tolls.
These scam messages are designed to look urgent and official, warning that you owe a small amount of money and threatening late fees, suspended vehicle registrations, or other penalties if you don't pay immediately. The goal is to create a false sense of urgency and alarm, prompting victims to act quickly without questioning the authenticity of the message.
The scam usually involves a link that appears to lead to an official payment page, but instead, it leads to a fake website designed to steal your credit card information, banking details, and other personal data. Travelers are particularly vulnerable to these scams, especially after returning home from a road trip or rental car journey, when receiving a text about an "unpaid toll" can seem believable.
According to information obtained by UMVA, there are several red flags travelers should watch for, including messages that create a false sense of urgency and alarm, come from strange phone numbers or email addresses, or include suspicious links. Additionally, be cautious if the toll amount is small enough that you may pay it quickly without questioning it, or if the punishment seems disproportionate to the crime.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that scammers are also using QR codes to trick unsuspecting travelers, a tactic known as quishing. Fraudsters place self-created QR codes over legitimate ones in public places, such as airports, parking garages, and tourist areas. When scanned, these codes redirect victims to fake payment pages or malicious websites designed to steal financial or personal information.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that travelers can protect themselves from QR code scams by avoiding scanning codes that appear tampered with or placed awkwardly, checking website addresses carefully, and using official apps or manually typing website addresses instead of scanning unfamiliar QR codes.
UMVA has uncovered details about another type of scam targeting travelers: fake travel agents and "helpers" lurking in Facebook groups. Scammers monitor posts from frustrated travelers seeking refunds or urgent help and quickly offer assistance, often convincing victims to move conversations to private messaging apps and send small payments via wire transfer or cryptocurrency.
To avoid falling victim to these scams, travelers should be cautious when interacting with strangers in Facebook groups, remember that anyone can create an official-looking profile, and be wary of requests for payment through unsecure channels. If you need help with a travel problem, it's best to contact the airline, cruise line, hotel, or booking platform directly through its official website or app.
Don't let scammers steal your hard-earned travel dollars. Familiarize yourself with the latest scams they may encounter before, during, and even after your vacation. Stay vigilant and be ready to protect yourself from these bad actors.
