Drivers report rise in EZDriveMA scam texts – here’s what they look like and what to do

Drivers have seen an increase in reports of scams targeting those passing through Massachusetts’ toll system.

The EZ Pass texts pretend to be from the payment system in an attempt to steal your account data.

Why it matters

Millions are at risk of being defrauded due to the fraudulent texts that may appear authentic if you are driving throughout the state of Massachusetts.

Those who fall for the scams may end up losing their identity if they engage with the scammers.

What to know

What is EZDriveMa?

E-ZPass or EZDriveMA is Massachusetts’ toll system, so those who receive the texts may end up under the impression that they still owe the system money from unpaid tolls.

What do EZDriveMa scam texts look like?

The EZDrive MA scam texts usually target drivers with messages saying you owe a small amount, or $6.99, in unpaid tolls that you need to pay now.

When users click on the link in the text, they will be directed to a website that steals your personal and financial information.

What to do if you get a scam text

If you receive what appears to be an E-ZPass text, do not engage and do not click on any of the links in the message.

The real E-ZPass never sends text messages, so if you receive a text message, delete it immediately.

If you think you may owe money, you should check your balance through the traditional E-ZPass account.

Anyone who has already clicked on the link should contact their bank and credit card company and ask to have their accounts frozen.

You should also immediately change all passwords to E-ZPass and to your bank and credit card accounts.

By keeping an eye on your accounts, you’ll also be able to easily dispute any charges that arise as a result of the scam.

What people say

Sandra Glading, Online Safety Advocate from McAfee, said Newsweek:
“These scams involve fake text messages claiming the recipient owes money due to unpaid tolls. They are designed to trick people into providing personal information or making payments. Scammers impersonate legitimate services, such as E-ZPass, to get their messages to appear convincing so they can steal sensitive personal information or payment information.”

What happens next

Glading said the rise of artificial intelligence has made it significantly easier for fraudsters to create a greater volume of more convincing text message scams, including the EZDriveMA scam.

“They take advantage of this opportunity and increase activity when they see success,” Glading said.

To prevent so many Americans from being scammed daily, the Federal Communications Commission issued a ruling in 2018 that gave wireless service providers the power to limit messages their customers receive.

But Americans still see an average of 14 scam messages a day across texts, emails and social media, according to McAfee’s recent research.

“This volume makes it overwhelming to distinguish real from fake, especially when scammers take advantage of the urgency and stress of an unpaid bill, increasing the likelihood that people will engage with these scam messages.”