Earlier today in Orlando, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody issued warned Floridians about a new smishing scam targeting drivers. According to an official release from Moody’s office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that scammers are sending fraudulent text messages to individuals claiming unpaid toll fees and providing links to settle the alleged debts. However, these links are malicious and designed to steal victims’ money. These scams are also being seen targeting E-ZPass users. Attorney General Moody’s Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit, working with Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) recently shut down 10 imposter websites.
“Cybercriminals are sending text messages to thousands of unsuspecting drivers in the hopes that some of them will be tricked into paying a toll fee for a violation that never occurred,” Moody said. “While this smishing scam is happening across the nation, our Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit worked closely with FDLE to shut down 10 fraudulent sites designed to mimic the official SunPass website and steal payments from drivers who received their fake text messages.”
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard praised Moody’s team for supplying FDLE with the resources to purse such case involving digital fraud.
“FDLE’s Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit was able to quickly seize the fraudulent websites, stopping the victimization,” Pollard said. “Thanks to Attorney General Ashley Moody, FDLE has the investigative resources and expertise to move quickly when it matters most.”
