Scam Text Messages (Smishing): Unpaid Tolls, Package Holds and Fake Bank Alerts

Phishing has moved to our phones. Scam text messages — often called smishing — are cheap to send, hard to trace, and they arrive on the device we check most often.

The most common scam texts right now

• Unpaid toll notices. A small balance with a big “late fee” if you don’t pay through the link. These have been sent to people in every state — including people who haven’t driven a toll road in years.
• Package delivery problems. Your parcel is “on hold” until you update your address or pay a small redelivery fee.
• Fake bank fraud alerts. “Did you make this purchase? Reply YES or NO.” Replying leads to a call from a fake fraud department that walks you into “protecting” your money by moving it.
• “Wrong number” texts. A friendly message meant for someone else turns into a long conversation — and eventually a crypto investment or romance scam.
• Account and prize texts. Your account is locked, your payment failed, or you won something you never entered.

How to spot a scam text

• It came from an unknown number or email address, not the company’s usual short code
• It creates urgency: fees, deadlines, suspensions
• It contains a link, especially one with an odd or misspelled address
• It asks you to reply, call a number or confirm personal information

What to do

1. Don’t tap the link and don’t reply — not even “STOP.” Replying tells scammers your number is active.
2. Check directly. Open your bank’s app, the shipping company’s website or your toll account yourself, or call the number on your card or statement.
3. Report it. Forward the text to 7726 (it spells “SPAM”) to report it to your carrier, then delete it and block the number.

If you already tapped and paid

Call your bank or card company right away to block the card and dispute the charge. If you entered a password, change it. Keep an eye on your accounts and consider a free credit freeze with the three credit bureaus if you shared your Social Security number.

Questions about a text you received? Call us at 620-960-8711 — we’re happy to take a look before you do anything.