Great Lakes Wire

Michigan consumers are being alerted by Attorney General Dana Nessel about a new smishing scam targeting toll road users. This scam involves fake messages that claim recipients owe unpaid tolls to the Michigan Department of Transportation. The texts misleadingly suggest imminent legal action if the tolls are not paid, including a fraudulent link that appears credible.

Nessel emphasized that, "The Michigan Department of Transportation will not send you a text message demanding immediate payment for a toll. The best response to this scam is to ignore the message and avoid clicking any links or providing any personal information."

These scams are not limited to supposed government communications; similar tactics have been reported under the guise of private companies. Consumers should be cautious of unsolicited texts, especially those from unusually long numbers, containing shortened or scrambled links, marked by urgency, or filled with errors. Offering incentives or requesting information can also be indicative of fraudulent communication.

Nessel advises consumers not to respond, click links, or open attachments in suspicious messages. Built-in spam-blocking features on mobile devices are recommended for protection. Concerns can be reported by forwarding such messages to SPAM (7726) or sending them to the Federal Trade Commission.

The Attorney General reiterated that legitimate government agencies will not ask for personal information or money via text, email, or phone call. They will communicate via mail and provide payment options that do not involve prepaid gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrencies, or payment apps.

To file a complaint with the Attorney General or obtain more information, consumers can reach out to the Consumer Protection Team in Lansing or use the online complaint form provided by the office.