The toll road scam is popping up once again this spring on cell phones in Michigan, just like tulips along a walkway.
Except you didn’t just spot an ugly “enforcement notice” on your phone or device. No, you did not violate Michigan law by a “failure to pay electronic toll.” Or missing a payment for a “parking violation.” Or a “speeding violation.”
The texts I saw sent out lately list all three infractions — speeding, unpaid tolls, and unpaid parking tickets — on the same text.
I was alerted to the latest uptick by a former Detroit Free Press colleague who got one of these texts in early May. Some folks at the Michigan State Police got a similar scumbag text.
“The toll road fine scam is working its way around the state again,” according to a post on X from the Michigan State Police Second District, which covers metro Detroit.
“In fact, I just got one on my work phone,” according to the MSP post on X. “Not sure if I should pay the fine to myself or wait and arrest myself?”
Best bet: Don’t scan that QR code included in the fake text, which could claim to be from the “State of Michigan in the District Court of Wayne County Traffic Division.”
In reality, unlike what the text says, you’re not in trouble. Your traffic violation account, no matter what the text says, has not been “formally declared delinquent and in default.” You don’t have a court hearing ahead.
Sure, the texts might seem believable because you just took a long trip and many times tolling systems have automatic billing. Michigan does not have turnpikes or toll roads, but payment is collected at some bridges.
“Again, the courts and/or the police are never going to send you a fine notice by text or phone call,” according to the Michigan State Police post.
“If you get one of these text messages do not click on any of the links and delete it,” the MSP states.
One red flag: The text sent to me appeared to be sent from a 645 area code, which covers parts of southern Florida, not Michigan. Pay attention to the area code and other clues, such as fake URLs.
Another red flag: You just got a text in May that has an issue date of April. Seems like some crooks aren’t even changing the date at the top.
The Michigan Department of Transportation has a notice on its website warning of “fake MDOT texts demanding toll or traffic ticket payments.”
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reminds consumers that government agencies will not request personal information through email, over the phone, or text. And government agencies will never demand money through email, over the phone, or text.
“They will mail residents a notice and offer payment options,” according to Nessel’s alert posted last September.
Back in March, we saw a flurry of such texts involving unpaid tolls and parking tickets. Then, cities all across the country — Detroit; Boston; Columbus, Ohio; Providence, Rhode Island, and more — warned that all those texts about unpaid parking tickets and tolls are not legitimate.
Last year, I warned of another dubious text that claimed: “The Michigan Department of Transportation Final Reminder: You have an outstanding toll. Your toll account balance is outstanding. If you fail to pay by April 13, 2025. You will be penalized or subject to legal action.”
Scammers, of course, don’t pay attention to all the warnings. They just chase the money. And they know that we’re all back on the road again in the spring. Many times, the texts are sent out on Monday mornings, catching us off guard as the new workweek begins.
Delete. Delete. And, let me say it one more time, delete.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan drivers hit again by texts for unpaid tolls
Reporting by Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
