Watch Out for This E-ZPass Scam Text — Here’s How to Stay Safe

Apr 8

You’re driving home from work or out running errands, and suddenly your phone buzzes with a text. It claims you have unpaid tolls from E-ZPass and need to act fast—or face late fees and legal consequences. The balance seems small, maybe $6 or $7, but the message sounds urgent. It even includes a link where you can “pay now.”

Pause. This might be a scam.

At TechPals, we’ve seen a rise in fake toll payment messages that trick people into handing over their credit card details or installing malware. These scams are clever, but once you know what to look for, they’re easy to avoid. In this post, we’ll show you exactly how these scams work, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you receive one of these suspicious texts.

What Is the E-ZPass Scam?

The E-ZPass text message scam is a type of phishing attack that impersonates toll collection agencies. Scammers send a fake message pretending to be from E-ZPass or another toll agency, claiming you owe a small toll fee. The goal is to get you to click a link and enter your payment details on a fake website.

Here's a typical scenario:

You receive a text message that says something like “E-ZPass: You have an unpaid toll balance of $6.27. Please pay now to avoid additional charges: [link].”
The message may use threatening language, warning of legal action or hefty fines.
The link goes to a website that looks real—but isn’t. It's designed to collect your credit card number, login credentials, or other personal information.
In some cases, the link might trigger a malware download that infects your phone or computer.

Once scammers have your information, they can make unauthorized charges, access your accounts, or sell your data.

Why the Scam Works

This scam is surprisingly effective for a few reasons:

The charge is small, so you’re less likely to question it. A $6 balance feels believable.
The message creates urgency, pushing you to act quickly without verifying the information.
It looks official, using language and branding similar to actual E-ZPass alerts.
Tolls are easy to forget—most of us don’t track every highway or bridge we use.

Because of all this, even tech-savvy drivers can fall for the trick.

How to Spot a Fake E-ZPass Text

If you get a message about unpaid tolls, here are some signs that it’s a scam:

🚩 The phone number looks suspicious

Many scam texts come from short codes or international numbers. E-ZPass agencies usually use consistent phone numbers or don’t text at all.

🚩 The message includes odd phrasing or bad grammar

Official messages from trusted agencies are usually well written. If something sounds off, it probably is.

🚩 The link looks strange

Always check the link carefully. If it contains misspellings, extra characters, or a weird domain (like .biz or .info instead of .gov or .com), don’t click it.

🚩 It includes threats or high-pressure language

Real toll agencies don’t use scare tactics in their communication. If you’re being told to “act now or face legal action,” it’s likely fake.

What to Do If You Get One of These Scam Messages

1. Don’t click the link

This is the most important step. Clicking the link can lead to phishing websites or malware. Just ignore it.

2. Delete the message

Avoid replying, even to say “STOP” or “Unsubscribe.” Scammers often use replies to confirm that your number is active.

3. Report the scam

Forward the message to 7726 (SPAM) to report it to your carrier. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

4. Check your E-ZPass account directly

Visit the official E-ZPass website or use the E-ZPass mobile app. If you’re not sure whether you owe money, this is the safest way to find out.

Tip from TechPals: Always type in the website manually—never follow a link from a text or email.

How Do I Know What the Real E-ZPass Website Is?

E-ZPass has different websites depending on your state. Here are a few official ones:

New York: www.e-zpassny.com
New Jersey: www.ezpassnj.com
Pennsylvania: www.paturnpike.com

When in doubt, Google the name of your state + E-ZPass to find the official site. And remember: these sites will never ask you to pay by text message.

Does E-ZPass Send Real Texts?

Some toll agencies allow users to opt in to receive texts for account activity, but:

They’ll never include a payment link
They’ll never demand immediate payment via text
They’ll never threaten legal action via text

If you didn’t sign up for E-ZPass text alerts, you shouldn’t be getting any texts from them.

What If I Already Clicked the Link?

If you clicked the link in one of these scam texts, don’t panic—just take action quickly:

Do not enter any information
Run a malware scan on your phone or computer if the page tried to download something
Change your passwords, especially for accounts that use the same email or phone number
Contact your bank or credit card company if you entered payment details

And in the future, let TechPals help! We offer friendly, judgment-free tech help whenever you need it.

Bonus Tip: Set Up Toll Alerts the Right Way

If you want to monitor your toll balance or get alerts about real charges:

Log into your E-ZPass account
Look for Notification Settings
Choose Email or official app notifications instead of texts

That way, you’ll always know what’s legit.

Final Thoughts

At TechPals, we believe everyone should feel confident navigating today’s tech landscape. Scams like the E-ZPass text message rely on fear and urgency to get your money and information. But with a little knowledge and the right steps, you can stay safe.

Not sure whether a text or email is real?
Forward it to us at help@techpals.org and one of our friendly experts will take a look.

Visit techpals.org for more tips on spotting scams and protecting your personal information.

Jesse Kaplan