(Ames) The Iowa Department of Transportation is warning consumers of a recent text phishing scam that is occurring across the country. Citizens are receiving fraudulent text messages that appear to be from the Iowa DOT that say they have an unpaid toll or registration fee. The text asks recipients to click on a link to provide personal information as well as credit card numbers. Many times, the link will lead to a website that looks like the Iowa DOT’s website.
These texts are not from the Iowa DOT and citizens should not click on links within the text messages or provide personal details.
The Iowa DOT does not send out fee collection reminders via text. Any payment requests from the DOT are made through personal transaction, via physical mail, or through an online transaction initiated by the customer. In addition, the Iowa DOT does not collect tolls on any of their roads or bridges.
Transportation departments from across the country are reporting similar scams.
If you receive a phishing text:
Don’t click on any links in, or respond to, unexpected texts. Scammers want you to react quickly, but it’s best to stop and check it out.
Check to see if the text is legit. Reach out to the state’s tolling agency using a phone number or website you know is real — not the info from the text. Government websites in Iowa, including the DOT end with “.gov”
Report and delete unwanted text messages. Use your phone’s “report junk” option to report unwanted texts to your messaging app or forward them to 7726 (SPAM). Once you’ve checked it out and reported it, delete the text.
If you feel that you are a victim of a text scam:
-Consider filing a police report with the local law enforcement agency where you reside.
-Report internet-based crime: ic3.gov
-Speak to AARP’s Fraud Watch Helpline and find Fraud Victim Support Groups (all ages accepted)
-Request a free credit report and research identity theft prevention: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
