The Iowa State Patrol is alerting residents to a nationwide phishing scam targeting cell phone users through fraudulent text messages claiming to collect toll road fees.
These scam messages often appear as official notifications and may include text such as “unpaid toll charges” or provide links urging recipients to settle outstanding fees. In Iowa, however, this is a clear red flag.
Important Reminder: Iowa does not have toll bridges or toll roads. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) does not send text messages requesting payment for any type of transportation-related fee.
The Iowa State Patrol emphasizes the following steps to protect yourself:
- Do not click on any links in suspicious messages.
- Do not provide personal or credit card information.
- Delete the message and report it using your phone’s “report junk” or “report spam” option.
- Alternatively, forward the message to 7726 (SPAM) to report it.
For more details and tips on avoiding phishing scams, visit the Iowa DOT’s official consumer alert page: https://www.news.iowadot.gov/…/iowa-dot-warns-consumers…
Stay safe and spread the word — knowledge is key to stopping scams in their tracks.