IDOT warns drivers about surge in fake text messages demanding payment for tickets, tolls

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has issued a scam alert for a text message campaign circulating across the state. The messages tell recipients they have unpaid tickets, tolls or other fees and urge them to click a link or make a quick payment to avoid penalties. 

According to the notice, the scam texts are part of a broader trend in which criminals impersonate government agencies to obtsin personal and financial information. IDOT says it does not use unsolicited text messages to demand payment or collect sensitive data such as bank information or Social Security numbers.

IDOT’s alert explains that the current scam relies on “phishing” and “smishing” techniques used by cybercriminals. Phishing occurs when scammers send deceptive emails to trick people into revealing personal or confidential information, often by clicking on a link that leads to a fake website or installs harmful software. Smishing uses the same approach through Short Message Service (SMS) text messages, frequently including shortened or suspicious links that can download malware or redirect to spoofed payment pages.

State officials say that anyone who receives a suspicious text about alleged tickets or toll violations should avoid clicking any links, replying to the message, or providing personal information. Instead, recipients should delete the message after reporting it to federal authorities.

IDOT directs consumers to file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission and/or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, which collects reports of online fraud and helps law enforcement track scam trends.

Residents who want to verify the status of any real fines or tolls are encouraged to contact the Illinois Tollway or relevant court directly using official contact information. IDOT also reminds the public that legitimate government websites typically use “.gov” addresses.

Consumer protection officials recommend several steps to reduce the risk of falling victim to text-based scams. Those include enabling alerts on bank and credit card accounts to monitor for unauthorized charges, keeping phones and computers updated with the latest security software, and using caution when sharing phone numbers or other personal information online. People who believe they may have clicked a suspicious link are advised to run a security scan on their device and consider placing a fraud alert or freeze on their credit reports.