Pennsylvania court officials and the Office of Attorney General issued a high-priority fraud alert following a surge in deceptive text messages targeting drivers across the Commonwealth.
The scam, which has evolved in sophistication since first appearing last year, uses high-pressure “legal” language and fraudulent documents to trick residents into paying non-existent Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls.
Recipients receive a text message that appears to be an official notification from the Traffic Division of the Philadelphia Municipal Court or the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania.
The messages typically feature the following “red flags”:
The Headline: A bold subject line reading “Notice of Hearing – TOLL VIOLATION.”
The Threat: The text claims the recipient has an outstanding unpaid toll and must either “appear for a hearing” or resolve the matter immediately to avoid civil penalties, license suspension, or criminal prosecution.
The Hook: A QR code or a shortened URL is included, directing the user to a “payment portal” designed to steal credit card numbers, banking information, or Social Security numbers.
The First Judicial District and the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) have clarified that these messages are 100% fraudulent.
“The Courts will NEVER send a text message demanding payment for any toll, parking, or other violations,” officials stated in the alert. “We do not request sensitive personal or financial information via a link sent through an unknown text or phone call.”
While the messages often claim to come from Philadelphia, reports of these texts have been confirmed from Pittsburgh to the Poconos, suggesting a coordinated statewide campaign.
Authorities are urging the public to follow these safety protocols:
Do Not Scan the QR Code: Scanning unknown codes can lead to “quishing” (QR phishing) sites that can install malware or harvest your data.
Check Your Account Manually: If you are worried about an actual unpaid toll, do not use the link in the text. Instead, visit the official PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or use the PA Toll Pay app.
Report the Message: Forward the suspicious text to 7726 (SPAM). This free service helps wireless carriers block the sender’s number.
Notify Authorities: If you believe you have already provided payment information to a scammer, contact your bank immediately to freeze your accounts and report the incident to the PA Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection at 800-441-2555.
