E-ZPass or Toll Fee "Unpaid Balance" Email Scam — What to Know
You received an email or text saying you have an unpaid toll fee from E-ZPass, SunPass, or a state toll authority. It threatens extra fines if you don't pay immediately through a link. Toll authorities do not send payment demands by email with clickable links. This is a scam.
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How This Scam Works
High Risk — Trending Scam in 2026
This is one of the fastest-growing scam types in the United States. Toll authorities do not send payment demands by email with clickable links.
You receive an email or text message claiming to be from E-ZPass, SunPass, FasTrak, or another toll authority. It says you have an unpaid toll balance and threatens additional fines or legal action if you don't pay immediately through a provided link.
The link leads to a convincing-looking website that asks for your personal information and credit card details. In some versions, the scam claims your vehicle registration will be suspended if you don't pay.
Red Flags
- Claims you owe an unpaid toll — often a very small amount ($3–$12)
- Threatens fines, penalties, or vehicle registration suspension
- Sender address is not from a legitimate toll authority
- Link leads to a website that is not the official toll authority site
- Creates urgency with a tight payment deadline
What You Should Do
What To Do
- Do not click any links in the email or text
- Go directly to your toll authority's official website to check your account
- If you have E-ZPass, check your balance at e-zpassiag.com or your state's portal
- Report the scam to your state's attorney general office
- Delete the message
Sources
- FBI IC3 Public Service Announcement (April 2024) — Smishing Scam Regarding Debt for Road Toll Services
- FTC Consumer Advice — That text about overdue toll charges is probably a scam