Georgia drivers are being warned to be wary of a surge in scam text messages falsely claiming unpaid toll violations. The State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) has issued an alert after receiving numerous reports of the phishing scam, which threatens penalties or legal action if recipients fail to pay immediately. The fraudulent texts often include a URL that appears legitimate, incorporating “MyPeachPass.com” followed by random characters.
SRTA spokesperson Ericka Bayonne emphasized that Peach Pass will never request payments via text message. “This is not Peach Pass,” Bayonne stated. “This is not the State Road and Tollway Authority.” Authorities have confirmed that some individuals have fallen victim to the scam by clicking on the provided links. The SRTA has escalated the matter to the FBI and FCC, who are now working to determine the source of the phishing messages. Rajiv Garg, an associate professor at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, explained that these texts are a form of psychological manipulation designed to gather information and target individuals further. Responding to the texts could increase your risk.
If your receive a suspicious text, DO NOT click any links or respond to the message. Report the message as junk to your cell carrier to help them track the scam’s origin.
Remember that official toll notices will always be sent by mail, allowing you to verify the information by phone. “They’re getting creative with the technology that they’re using,” Bayonne cautioned. “So make sure that you protect yourself.” Authorities urge drivers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious messages to their mobile carrier to combat the ongoing scam.
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