• Scammers are increasingly using "smishing" to deceive mobile users.
• Victims receive texts claiming they have unpaid toll fees.
• The FBI advises deleting suspicious messages and safeguarding personal information.
• This scam has spread across several states in the U.S.
• Other smishing scams, such as those targeting iCloud users, have also emerged.

The recent rise of smishing scams has left many American smartphone users on high alert. These frauds typically involve deceptive text messages claiming the recipient has an outstanding toll bill they must settle to avoid excessive late fees. One common message reads, “Your vehicle has an unpaid toll bill. To avoid excessive late fees on your bill, please settle it promptly,” luring unsuspecting individuals into clicking malicious links that capture personal data, as reported by The Independent.

The term “smishing,” a blend of “SMS” and “phishing,” refers to scams specifically executed through mobile text messages. Reports indicate that these scams are not isolated incidents and have been popping up in various regions, including the Washington D.C.-Maryland-Virginia metro area, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, and California. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center has acknowledged the surge in such scams, dating back to March 2024. Individuals receiving these texts are urged to report them at www.ic3.gov and check their local toll providers’ websites for verification.

In response to these threats, the FBI recommends deleting any suspicious texts immediately and taking measures to secure personal and banking information. However, this isn't the only risk—similar scams have previously targeted Apple users, enticing them with fake emergency messages to log into their iCloud accounts, thereby compromising their digital security.

As the landscape of mobile scams evolves, it is crucial for users to remain vigilant against these fraudulent messages and protect their private information.

For more information on the ongoing issue of smishing scams, you can visit the original article on The Independent.