Today, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority warned customers of a widespread text scam known as smishing. A text customers have received today references an unpaid toll from a Kansas road. Smishing is a type of phishing that involves sending fraudulent communications via text message.
“We’re committed to keeping our customers’ information secure,” said Lori Caron Silveira, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority. “We urge customers to stay vigilant—if a message seems suspicious, it likely is a scam. We recommend using safe methods, such as visiting our official website, to check the status of your account.”
- The smishing messages appear to be from RITBA and contain urgent messages about a customer’s account, warning of late fees if the balance isn’t paid. The link leads to a fraudulent website.
- Customers are advised to visit the official RITBA E-ZPass website: https://www.ezpassritba.com/ to safely check their accounts.
- Customers who wish to report this smishing scam may visit the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at https://www.ic3.gov/. Suspicious texts can also be forwarded to 7726 (SPAM) to notify mobile providers.
