Scam, toll reminder: Hundreds of Aussies have received the scam text

Text messages alerting recipients to an apparent unpaid road toll are being sent to unsuspecting Aussies, and so far the scam has cost victims more than $29,000.

"Payment overdue alert: Your toll trip on *insert date* has not been charged successfully. Fix the overdue bill to avert late fees," the scam text usually reads.

Hundreds of people have reported receiving the scam text, an ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) spokeswoman said.

"We have received approximately 750 reports between January 1 and July 31, 2022 relating to 'toll' type scams," she said. "Most reports were received in July."

ACM has been provided with a screenshot of a toll scam text that was received this week.

The ACCC spokeswoman urged anyone who receives the text not to click on the link.

"The link would prompt the recipients to enter their personal details, which include the name, date of birth, and address," she said.

"The system would then show the due amount, and prompts recipients to pay by credit card.

"For victims that have clicked on the link and provided all details, they would then find fraudulent transactions on their credit card."

Keep up to date with other scams by visiting the ACCC's Scamwatch page at www.scamwatch.gov.au.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Do not click on any links in unexpected messages. Even if you expect a message, its best to access the information directly from a website or a source you have found independently.