Lansing, MI – A new scam mimicking the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is targeting residents through fraudulent text messages claiming they owe toll fees, officials warned this week.
According to a statement released by MDOT on Wednesday, the agency is not texting drivers about outstanding toll invoices and does not operate any toll roads. The fake messages include a fraudulent website link (michigan.gov-etccr.cc), falsely branded to resemble the state’s official site, and direct users to pay alleged late fees.
State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich emphasized that any such texts are not from MDOT or any Michigan agency. “Please be assured this is a scam,” Wieferich said in the release. “You would not receive a bill through text or email.”
The Michigan Attorney General’s office also issued a reminder that government agencies will never ask for personal information, request payment via text, or accept payment through prepaid cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Attorney General Dana Nessel noted her office has tracked a surge in similar scams and urged residents to report suspicious messages.
MDOT advised recipients to avoid clicking any links in the messages and to delete them immediately. Concerns or inquiries can be directed to MDOT via phone at 517-241-2400 or email at MDOT@Michigan.gov.
Residents are encouraged to verify web addresses carefully and only trust official communication from Michigan.gov domains. Officials reiterated that legitimate tolls related to state-owned bridges, where applicable, are not billed via license plate capture and never through unsolicited digital correspondence.
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