Scammers are hitting Americans’ iPhones and Android devices in a widespread campaign to drain bank accounts.
The FBI says more than 2,000 complaints have been filed at the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) in the last year, reporting fake texts about unpaid highway tolls.
These “smishing” attacks – combining SMS and phishing – trick users into clicking links that mimic state toll services.
The messages urge immediate payment to avoid fees using statements like, “We’ve noticed an outstanding toll amount of $12.51 on your record.”
The goal is to convince users to hand over their debit and credit card information, and victims who click the links risk losing both their money and personal data.
Cybercrime expert Michael Skiba tells CNBC he believes the actual scale of the attack is “astronomical”, with current reporting from victims representing a small slice of those who are truly affected.
The FBI says the scam shifts from state to state and advises people to report suspicious texts to www.ic3.gov, including the sender’s number and link.
Authorities also urge users to verify toll debts through official channels and avoid clicking unknown links to protect their finances.
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