A scam telling drivers they owe tolls for using E-ZPass lanes in Minnesota or other states is still circulating, with drivers getting the fake warnings in recent weeks.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation says it has seen an uptick in fake emails and text messages, particularly around holidays and on long weekends, attempting to get those who receive them to pay a debt they do not owe.
“Beware of fake messages pretending to be E-ZPass or another tolling agency claiming you owe money and asking you to follow a payment link. This is a scam!” the agency said on its website. “Do not reply and delete the message.”
Messages vary, but in most cases tell drivers that a “recent journey” on an E-ZPass road has resulted in a charge. The scam messages may come from a phone number or email account.
“Settle your balance promptly to prevent any additional late fees,” one of the messages circulating says. The message is accompanied by a link to a dupe website, https://minnesota-ez-pass.com, where payment can be made.
A similar scam popped up last summer.
MnDOT spokeswoman Anne Meyer says that the scam is not limited to Minnesota and that transportation departments in other states have reported getting calls about the fraudulent emails and text messages, too.
“We would not reach out to folks this way to get payment,” Meyer said.
