A producer at Local 4 received a text that was part of a scam sweeping the country.
The text messages tell people they owe money to a state tolling agency. Cybersecurity pros say the messages are meant to access your bank account.
On its website, Massachusetts EZ-pass warns that the overdue toll message was a scam.
Cybersecurity pros say the scam software was built in China and sold to criminal gangs worldwide. Criminals pose as tolling authorities, and the scam is spreading nationwide.
“What they really want is that one-time code from your bank so they can enroll your stolen credit card in Apple Pay or Google Pay and then go to town using that,” said Tom Costello.
It’s a “Smishing” scheme that uses SMS messaging. Cyber pros say it’s the latest twist in a scam that involves telling Americans they owe money for a postal delivery.
Several Local 4 News team members received a text as well.
Our crime and safety expert, Darnell Blackburn, says you should first ignore it.
“You should recognize this as spam automatically, and the fact that this area code is an international area code. It’s like a plus six, three. I mean, first thing you should do is just initially block this. Block it, report it as spam, and don’t address it, don’t copy it, don’t paste it, don’t respond. Just block this right away,” said Blackburn.
Blackburn also points out that you should never click on the link or accept a one-time code that could open your bank account.
