E-ZPass Scam Targeting NJ Drivers: What To Know

NEW JERSEY — State and federal authorities are warning New Jersey drivers about a new scam targeting E-Z Pass users.

In a statement released by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, the agency said the text message scam is designed to trick people into entering their banking or credit card information into a bogus website.

NJTA officials said Garden State residents are receiving messages claiming to be sent by "NJ E-ZPass Toll Services" that direct them to click a link to pay an outstanding toll balance to avoid a late fee.

This message is fraudulent, the company said, and drivers should delete the texts immediately and not click on any links embedded in the messages.

"NJ Turnpike toll services is not associated with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority or any other toll agency in the New Jersey E-ZPass Group," NJTA officials said in a statement.

The FBI also issued a public service announcement about the scam. According to federal authorities, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has received more than 2,000 complaints from at least three undisclosed states about the scam.

Officials think the scam is moving from state to state with nearly identical language and similar "outstanding toll amounts."

The phone number and the link provided, which impersonates the state's toll service name, seem to change between states.

E-ZPass customers who receive the text should file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.