A scam targeting drivers is spreading as scammers send text messages claiming unpaid toll fees. Clicking the link in these messages can expose personal and financial information to criminals.

Even if you haven’t driven through a toll booth recently, you might still receive these fake bills. The Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) warned about this scam in September, but experts say scammers are becoming more sophisticated. Many people are getting multiple texts, sometimes about tolls in states they’ve never visited.

Technology expert Burton Kelso says the scam began in July when Kansas toll booths went digital. Scammers test these schemes in small areas and expand once they see success. The texts often use intimidation, threatening legal action, license suspension, and penalties.

The goal isn’t just to steal a small payment but to collect enough information for identity theft or larger financial fraud. The KTA does not send unsolicited texts or emails—only those users sign up for. Anyone receiving these scams should report them at www.ic3.gov.