Ohio drivers are facing a sophisticated threat as scammers deploy fraudulent text messages claiming to be from the Ohio Turnpike demanding payment for unpaid tolls. The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission has issued warnings about this resurgent scam that’s part of a larger nationwide trend targeting toll road users. Here’s what Ohio drivers need to know to protect themselves from becoming victims.
The Growing Threat to Ohio Drivers
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission recently issued an urgent alert about fraudulent text messages circulating throughout the state. These messages, disguised as official communications from the Ohio Turnpike, claim that recipients have unpaid toll balances and must make immediate payments through links provided in the texts.
“We’ve seen a concerning uptick in reports from customers receiving these deceptive messages,” said an Ohio Turnpike spokesperson. “This is part of a nationwide scam that has already victimized toll road users in Georgia, Florida, California, and now Ohio.”
The scam appears to be expanding methodically across states with major toll systems. Ohio’s E-ZPass customers are the latest targets in what the FBI has described as a “growing wave” of SMS attacks on toll road users across the country. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has already received thousands of complaints about similar scams in other states.
What makes this scam particularly troubling is its indiscriminate nature. Many recipients report receiving these messages despite never having traveled on the Ohio Turnpike or owning an E-ZPass transponder. This suggests scammers are casting a wide net, hoping to catch unsuspecting victims who might believe they inadvertently incurred a toll charge.
How the Ohio Turnpike Text Message Scam Works?
The scam operates through carefully crafted text messages designed to create a false sense of urgency. A typical fraudulent message might read: “Ohio E-ZPass Alert: We’ve detected an unpaid toll of $14.75 on your account. To avoid a $50 penalty, pay immediately at: [fraudulent link].”
These messages often include convincing details to appear legitimate. They may reference specific sections of the Ohio Turnpike or include official-looking logos in linked websites. Some versions might even include partial license plate numbers to add credibility—a technique that plays on the recipient’s fear that they might have accidentally missed a toll payment.
Once a victim clicks the provided link, they’re directed to a sophisticated fake website that closely mimics the official Ohio Turnpike or E-ZPass site. These fake sites often have URLs that appear similar to legitimate ones at first glance, such as “ohio-ezpass.com” or “ezpass-ohio.net” instead of the authentic ezpassoh.com.
At these fraudulent websites, victims are prompted to enter personal and financial information, including:
- Credit card details
- Home address
- Phone number
- Driver’s license information
- E-ZPass account credentials
“These scammers are after two things,” explains cybersecurity expert Michael Reynolds. “First, they want immediate financial gain by charging your credit card. Second, and potentially more damaging, they’re harvesting personal information that can be used for identity theft or sold on the dark web.”
Some versions of the scam have become even more sophisticated, incorporating unusual instructions, such as “Reply Y, then exit the message and reopen it to activate the link.” According to cybersecurity experts, these strange directives may be designed to trigger malware installation on the victim’s device, potentially giving scammers access to banking apps and other sensitive information.
Red Flags: How to Identify Fraudulent Messages
Knowing how to spot these scam messages is your first line of defense. Here are key warning signs that indicate a text message claiming to be from the Ohio Turnpike is fraudulent:
Unsolicited Text Messages: The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission has explicitly stated they do NOT request E-ZPass customers to make payments by text. Any text message asking for toll payment should be considered suspicious.
Suspicious Links: Legitimate Ohio Turnpike communications will only direct you to ezpassoh.com or ohioturnpike.org. Any variation of these domains is likely fraudulent.
Urgent Language and Threats: Scam messages typically create a false sense of urgency with threats of penalties, legal action, or account suspension if immediate payment isn’t made.
Unusual Sender Information: The texts often come from unfamiliar phone numbers, international numbers, or strange email addresses rather than official Ohio Turnpike contact information.
Vague or Generic Information: Fraudulent messages may lack specific details about your alleged violation, such as the exact date, time, and location of the unpaid toll.
Requests for Unusual Actions: Any message asking you to reply with a letter or number and then perform specific actions with your phone should raise immediate suspicion.
Poor Grammar or Spelling: While scammers are becoming more sophisticated, their messages may still contain grammatical errors or awkward phrasing that wouldn’t appear in official communications.
A toll authority employee who wished to remain anonymous noted, “These scammers have become incredibly sophisticated. We’ve seen fake websites that look nearly identical to our official site, down to the color scheme and logo placement.”
What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Text
If you receive a text message claiming to be from the Ohio Turnpike about an unpaid toll, follow these steps to protect yourself:
Do Not Click Any Links: This is crucial. Never click on links in unexpected text messages, even if they appear legitimate.
Do Not Reply to the Message: Responding can confirm to scammers that your number is active, potentially leading to more scam attempts.
Report the Scam: Forward the suspicious message to 7726 (SPAM) to report it to your mobile carrier. You should also file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov, including details about the sender and the website link provided.
Verify Through Official Channels: If you’re concerned about a potential toll violation:
- Log into the official E-ZPass Ohio website directly through your browser (ezpassoh.com)
- Call the official Ohio Turnpike customer service center at 440.971.2222
- Visit an Ohio Turnpike service plaza customer service center in person if you’re nearby
Document the Message: Take a screenshot of the text before deleting it, which may be useful for reporting purposes.
Delete the Message: Once you’ve reported it and verified your account status through legitimate channels, delete the message to prevent accidentally clicking it later.
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission emphasizes that legitimate toll violations are communicated through official channels: “Collections of unpaid tolls and/or toll violations do NOT occur by text,” they stated in their recent alert.
Protecting Yourself from Toll-Related Scams
Taking proactive measures can help you avoid becoming a victim of these and similar scams:
Know How Official Communications Work: The Ohio Turnpike typically communicates through:
- Mail for toll violations and collection notices
- Email for account holders who have opted in to electronic communications
- The official E-ZPass Ohio website and customer service center
Maintain Your Account Properly: Keep your E-ZPass account updated with current contact information, vehicle information, and payment methods to avoid legitimate toll violations.
Check Your Account Regularly: Periodically review your E-ZPass account through the official website to verify all charges are legitimate.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords: For your E-ZPass online account, use a strong password that you don’t use for other accounts.
Verify Before You Pay: If you receive any notification about unpaid tolls, verify it through official channels before making a payment.
Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Communications: Approach any unexpected message with caution, especially if it creates a sense of urgency or threatens penalties.
“The most effective defense against these scams is awareness,” says Ohio Highway Patrol Sergeant Maria Lopez. “We encourage drivers to familiarize themselves with how the Ohio Turnpike actually communicates about toll violations so they can immediately recognize when something doesn’t look right.”
If You’ve Already Clicked: Immediate Steps to Take
If you’ve already clicked a link or provided information in response to one of these scam messages, take these steps immediately:
Contact Your Financial Institutions: Call your credit card company, bank, or other financial institutions to alert them to potential fraud and consider placing a freeze on affected accounts.
Change Your Passwords: Immediately change passwords for any accounts that might be compromised, especially your E-ZPass account, email, and banking accounts.
Monitor Your Accounts: Carefully review your financial statements and credit card bills for any unauthorized charges.
Place a Fraud Alert: Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax) to place a fraud alert on your credit report.
File a Police Report: Consider filing a report with your local police department, which can be helpful when disputing fraudulent charges.
Watch for Signs of Identity Theft: Monitor your credit reports for any suspicious activity through annualcreditreport.com and be alert for signs that your personal information is being misused.
Report to the Ohio Attorney General: File a consumer complaint with the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section.
A Nationwide Problem Requiring Vigilance
The Ohio Turnpike text scam is part of a troubling national trend that has already affected toll systems in Georgia (Peach Pass), Florida (SunPass), New York and New Jersey (E-ZPass), California (FasTrak), and other states. The methods remain consistent across regions, with scammers simply adapting their messages to impersonate different toll authorities.
“What we’re seeing is a coordinated, nationwide campaign targeting toll road users,” explains FBI Cybercrime Division spokesperson James Wilson. “The scammers are following the major toll corridors across the country, adjusting their approach slightly for each region while maintaining the same basic strategy.”
Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and state authorities, are actively investigating these scams, but the constantly changing phone numbers, email addresses, and website domains make it challenging to shut down all sources of the fraudulent messages.
For Ohio drivers, the best defense remains education and caution. By understanding how the Ohio Turnpike actually communicates about toll matters and recognizing the warning signs of scam messages, motorists can protect themselves from falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated schemes.
Remember that legitimate communications from the Ohio Turnpike will never request payment through text message links. When in doubt, contact the Ohio Turnpike directly through their official website (ezpassoh.com) or customer service number (440.971.2222) to verify any communications you receive.
As this scam continues to evolve and spread across state lines, remaining vigilant and sharing information about these fraudulent schemes with friends and family becomes increasingly important—not just for Ohio residents, but for toll road users nationwide.
