SALT LAKE CITY — Officials with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) are warning citizens about a new tolling scam that claims motorists have an unpaid balance. Scammers are using text messages that appear to be automated, as well as live phone calls, claiming to be directly from UDOT employees to mislead Utahns.
Since Monday, UDOT has reportedly received hundreds of inquiries asking about the validity of the texts and calls.
UDOT Area Supervisor Jake Brown said that he has even received a scam call, and when he told the caller that he worked for the Utah Department of Transportation, the guy immediately hung up. Several of his family members and friends have also been targeted, but fortunately didn’t fall for it.
In a press release, UDOT reminded citizens that they do not send texts or make phone calls to collect tolling fees, and they urged anyone that receives a message about an outstanding toll balance to not provide any payment information.
“If you receive a text, do not click on the link and block the sender,” the statement read. “If you receive a phone call, hang up and block the caller.”
While each scam call or text message may vary, several user-submitted reports show that the scammers are often:
- Using UDOT’s full name
- Claiming the recipient has an outstanding toll that will result in legal action
- Urging the fine must be paid quickly
- Inserting a link that has “utah.gov” included in it
UDOT officials advised that if residents have mistakenly provided payment, please immediately contact their credit card company or bank.