The Florida Attorney General’s statewide prosecutor’s office, working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Cyber Fraud Analysis Support Team, has announced the closure of hundreds of fraudulent SunPas websites. These fake websites targeted Sunpass users by sending fake toll notifications and using phishing schemes to steal personal and financial information.
Additionally, the Florida Attorney General’s Office is releasing a new consumer protection resource entitled “At a Glance: Sunpass Safety.” This guide is intended to help Florida and tourists recognize and avoid toll fraud, including fraudulent SunPass and E-ZPass websites.
“These fraudulent Sunpass websites are trying to prey on unsuspecting Floridians and tourists and steal personal information through fake claim notifications,” Attorney General John Gard said. “We are taking prompt action to shut down these sites and protect consumers. Floridians are borrowing money for tolls because they could be fraudulent. You need to be careful when receiving texts or emails that make claims.”
If a scammer creates websites that are very similar to official toll payment portals such as Sunpass and E-ZPass and sends phishing emails and text messages to consumers with links to these sites, it is possible to do so. Toll fraud works. Messages often include claims of unpaid tolls and fines, creating a sense of urgency and directing users to scam sites to resolve the issue. Upon a fraudulent website, the victim is asked to provide personal and financial information that the fraudster can use to commit identity theft or fraud.
Floridians receiving fake toll smissing texts and emails should:
Contact Sunpass or E-ZPass directly to check the source using the customer service numbers listed on the official website. Instead of using links in unsolicited emails or text messages, use the official SunPass or E-ZPass portal to check for unpaid tolls. And know that messages that threaten penalties if no immediate payments are made are probably fraudulent.
To view scams at a glance, visit Sunpass Safety. Please click here. To view resources in Spanish, click here.
For more information about other types of scams, visit myfloridalegal.com/scamsataglance.
