FBI warns Denver drivers of E-470 text-based scam

DENVER (BNN)-- A brand-new rip-off is making rounds in Denver, according to the FBI, and it's targeting E-470 drivers.

Detectives say they have experienced a "frustrating level of deceptive" texts that are an effort to fraud interstate users. The fraudsters' objective is to acquire sensitive details, such as credit card details, and eventually earn money off the fraud.

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Neither the E-470 toll authority nor ExpressToll collects any payment or individual info through texts. For security, do not click any links sent through a text or supply any individual details to the phisher.

The scam texts seem like this:

ExpressToll: We've noticed an outstanding toll quantity of $12.51 on your record. To avoid a late cost of $50, go to myturnpiketollservices.com to settle your balance.

Fraud text example

That website leads to a phishing scam, likewise called a "smishing fraud," using a phony text to trick people into clicking on a link that will set up malware, share your delicate details or send cash to cybercriminals. In this case, the smishing texts are developed to impersonate the state's toll service name.

The warning provided by Google Chrome when users attempt to access the phishing website connected in ExpressToll scam texts.

According to the FBI, the firm's Internet Crime Complaint Center has actually received over 2,000 problems given that early March in at least three states.

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The FBI states that when such a scam is encountered, report it by:

• Filing a grievance with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, ic3.gov. Be sure to consist of:
  
  
  
  • The telephone number from where the text came from
  
  
  
  • The website listed within the text
  
  
  
  



• Check your account using the toll service's genuine site-- in Colorado, that website is www.expresstoll.com/Home




Contact the toll service's customer support phone number-- in Colorado, that number is 303-537-3470 or 1-888-946-3470 for out-of-area calls




Delete any smishing texts received



• If you clicked any link or offered your information, make certain you take efforts to secure your personal info and financial accounts. Dispute any unknown charges.

According to the IC3 site, Colorado was the 15th overall state for internet crime problems, with 11,475 reported in 2023 for a total statewide loss of $187.6 million.