Did you receive a text from the "Illinois toll way" about an unpaid toll? It's a scam, the officials say.
Earlier this week, some reported on social media that they had received text messages from an out of state number, claiming they had unpaid tolls owed to the agency. Tuesday, the Illinois Tollway confirmed the texts, specifically targeting I-PASS customers, were phishing-related.
"The Illinois Tollway worked immediately this weekend with the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology and the appropriate federal authorities to take down the phony website responsible for the phishing texts that were sent to some I-PASS customers," a spokesperson from the Illinois Tollway said.
"I-PASS customers should delete any text they’ve received stating an outstanding toll amount," the spokesperson added.
The agency is also asking customers who receive a text to report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
"Customers who receive a text and are unsure if it is legitimate are asked to please check their accounts online at www.illinoistollway.com or to call our customer service center at 1-800-UC-IPASS (1-800-824-7277) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays," the agency said.
Earlier this year, the Tollway made a major change for I-PASS customers, switching from windshield transponders to stickers.
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“The Illinois Tollway is continuing to adopt new tolling technology as it evolves, and I-PASS Sticker Tags mark the latest development in toll collection,” the agency said in a statement in January. “Sticker tags are being adopted by toll agencies across the country and by the Illinois Tollway as they provide a convenient, reliable and less expensive travel experience for our customers.”
More information about I-Pass stickers, and how they work can be found here.
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