Yamhill County, Oregon – Authorities are warning residents about scam texts falsely claiming unpaid toll violations, prompting payment demands.
According to the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, scammers are sending messages alleging recipients owe money for toll, parking, or speeding violations tied to Multnomah County. The messages often pressure individuals to act quickly and include links or instructions to submit payment.
Officials said the scam has circulated widely, with reports indicating even local law enforcement personnel have received similar messages. The texts typically rely on urgency, threats of penalties, and misleading legal language to appear legitimate.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that legitimate agencies do not demand immediate payment through unsolicited texts, especially using methods such as gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash apps. Residents are urged not to click on links, respond to the messages, or provide personal or financial information.
“Once payment is made to a scammer, it is very rare that the money can be recovered,” the agency noted.
Authorities advise anyone who receives a suspicious message to ignore it and report concerns directly to local law enforcement using verified contact information. Additional details about the scam are available through the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office website.
The alert comes amid a broader rise in text-based fraud schemes targeting drivers across Oregon.
For commuters and students who rely on daily travel, these scams can appear especially convincing due to frequent roadway use and routine toll-related messaging.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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