Des Moines, IA — The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is warning residents about a new phishing scam that targets individuals with fake toll fee collection notices.
Scammers are sending text messages claiming that individuals have outstanding tolls, threatening penalties or legal action if payment is not made by March 30, 2025. The messages include a link that directs victims to a fraudulent payment site, prompting them to input sensitive personal and financial information.
According to the Iowa DOT, Iowa does not have toll bridges, and the department never sends out toll collection reminders via text message. They advise recipients of such messages to avoid clicking on any links and to report the texts as spam.
“Do not provide any personal or credit card information,” the Iowa DOT urged. “If you receive a suspicious message, report it immediately using your phone’s ‘report junk’ feature or forward the message to 7726 (SPAM).”
Residents are reminded to be vigilant and report any similar suspicious activity to the DOT through official channels. For more details, visit the Iowa DOT website.
