ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — If you have a cell phone, chances are you’ve gotten a text scam. The latest making the rounds is a message falsely claiming to be from NC Quick Pass and other tolling agencies.

These scams demand payment for supposed unpaid tolls, and the North Carolina Department of Justice is actively investigating, according to a news release from Attorney General Jeff Jackson and the North Carolina Turnpike Authority.

“These scam texts are targeting a massive number of people — including me,” Jackson said in the release. “Don’t fall for them, and please warn your family. We’re investigating, but in the meantime, be wary of any unsolicited texts — especially those that claim to be from the government or threaten legal action.”

The scam texts are sent at random, not specifically targeting actual toll users, the news release said. In early 2024, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 2,000 complaints about fraudulent toll collection texts in just three states over a single month. The scam has since spread nationwide.

“NC Quick Pass is receiving thousands of phone calls each day from citizens asking about the legitimacy of the texts. Clicking the link in these texts can expose victims to financial fraud, allowing scammers access to bank accounts and personal data,” the news release said.

“International law enforcement traced the origin of these scams to Canada in early 2024. Since then, we believe the perpetrators have moved operations to the U.S., dramatically scaling up their efforts — a sign of the scheme’s profitability. The Department of Justice is working with federal and international partners to track the source of these scams and investigate how fraudsters are using URLs that closely mimic legitimate NC Quick Pass websites.

Here’s how to verify a valid text from NC Quick Pass:

  • NC Quick Pass will never request payment by text.
  • NC Quick Pass will only send texts from the secure short code 696277. (This is the “sender” of your text message.)
  • All links associated with NC Quick Pass will include ncquickpass.com or secure.ncquickpass.com.
  • Remember that NC Quick Pass will never threaten you with legal action for an unpaid toll. You also won’t lose your license for not paying an unpaid toll.

This scam is part of a series of scams that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is aware of.

If you receive one of these scam texts, you should:

1. File a complaint with the IC3, www.ic3.gov, and be sure to include:
a. The phone number from where the text originated.
b. The website listed within the text.

2. Check your account using the toll service’s legitimate website.

3. Contact the toll service’s customer service phone number.

4. Delete any smishing texts received.

If you clicked any link or provided your information, take efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts. Dispute any unfamiliar charges.

You can learn more about how to identify phishing texts and scams here. More information on toll text scams is available here. If you’re unsure about whether a message you have received is legitimate, contact the Turnpike Authority at www.ncquickpass.com.