Phones are buzzing across the valley with texts that are actually scammers. 

One scam that several people have reported getting claims it’s from FasTrak and asks for you to pay lane tolls. FasTrak is a California based toll system, similar to the EZPass in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The text says “to avoid a fine and keep your license," to click the link and pay the amount.

FasTrak reported that these scams were happening back in April of 2024. The official site for the tolling system warns consumers that “the websites provided are fraudulent and are not related to FasTrak, so please do not use them to pay tolls. FasTrak does not request payment by text with a link to a website.”

A similar scam was hitting inboxes back in August. A text claiming to be from the Ohio Turnpike asked consumers to pay outstanding toll fees. The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission warned that collections of unpaid tolls or toll violations never occur by text. The only websites affiliated with the Ohio Turnpike are E-ZPass accounts through ezpassoh.com and ohioturnpike.org.

Another scam popping up in messages claims it's from a mailing service like USPS, UPS or FedEX. The text typically states that a package cannot be delivered because of an incomplete address. It directs you to click on a link which will ask for personal information or to pay a delivery fee.

If you do enter your information, scammers could get access to usernames and passwords, your bank account or even install malware on your phone that steals your information without you knowing. 

The Federal Trade Commission says if you get any text messages you weren't expecting and it asks for a payment or personal information do NOT click any links.

If you are questioning whether the text is real, contact the company through a reliable phone number or website to verify. 

If you do suspect a text is a scam they can be reported by forwarding them to (7726) SPAM.