Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued a warning to consumers about a recent smishing scam targeting toll road users. Nessel emphasized the importance of being vigilant against deceptive messages aimed at stealing personal and financial information.

"Scammers craft these messages with links designed to steal consumers’ personal and financial information," Nessel stated. "It’s important for residents to recognize the signs of smishing texts so they aren’t duped out of their hard-earned money."

The scam involves sending deceptive texts to consumers, claiming they owe money for unpaid tolls with a $50 late fee if not settled immediately. The messages contain fake links that appear legitimate by using the name of a real toll company.

Consumers are advised to be cautious of unsolicited texts, especially those sent from long phone numbers, containing shortened or scrambled links, written with a sense of urgency, and with grammatical errors. Nessel also highlighted the importance of not responding to texts that request personal or financial information or click on suspicious links.

To report smishing texts, consumers can forward them to SPAM (7726) and send the texts to the Federal Trade Commission. In case of receiving such messages, it is recommended not to reply or click on any links, but to utilize built-in spam-blocking tools on mobile devices.

For further assistance or to file a complaint, consumers can reach out to the Consumer Protection Team at the Attorney General's office.

The warning from Attorney General Dana Nessel serves as a reminder for consumers to stay cautious and informed in order to protect themselves from falling victim to fraudulent schemes.