Law Enforcement Warns of Widespread Toll Scam Targeting New Jersey Drivers

New Jersey drivers are being targeted by a sophisticated text message scam that has prompted an unprecedented joint alert from state and federal law enforcement agencies. The fraud scheme, which falsely claims recipients owe unpaid toll fees, has seen an alarming 400% increase in reported cases across the Garden State in recent weeks, with authorities warning that thousands of residents have already fallen victim.

The phishing operation impersonates legitimate toll authorities like E-ZPass and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, directing recipients to fraudulent payment portals designed to steal financial information and personal data from unsuspecting motorists.

Source: NJBreakingNews.com

Sophisticated Operation Mimics Official Communications

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center has identified the operation as part of a coordinated international scheme that has evolved significantly in its targeting methodology. According to cybersecurity experts, the messages employ official-looking logos, accurate toll road terminology, and specific dollar amounts to create a convincing impression of legitimacy.

“We are seeing an unprecedented level of sophistication in these toll scam messages,” reported a senior FBI analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing investigation. The messages frequently reference specific toll roads familiar to New Jersey drivers, such as the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike, enhancing their perceived authenticity.

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission has noted that the scammers’ timing is particularly concerning as it coincides with New Jersey’s recent transition to all-electronic toll collection, creating additional confusion among drivers adapting to new payment systems.

Cross-State Coordination Targets Multiple Regions

The toll scam operation appears to be simultaneously targeting drivers across the tri-state area, with similar reports emerging from Pennsylvania and Delaware. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission reported receiving over 8,000 customer inquiries related to the scam texts in the first two months of 2025 alone, representing a dramatic increase from previous periods.

Stephen F. Dougherty, Executive Director of the South Jersey Transportation Authority, has emphasized the coordinated response to the threat, stating: “We encourage all E-ZPass customers to remain vigilant during this attempted criminal operation and report anything suspicious to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.”

New Jersey State Police and the Office of Homeland Security have established a joint task force specifically to address the proliferation of these messages, which they believe are originating primarily from overseas networks using sophisticated spoofing technology to appear as local numbers.

Random Targeting Increases Reach

Investigators have discovered that the scammers are employing a scatter-shot approach, sending messages to both drivers and non-drivers alike. This random targeting has extended the scheme’s reach beyond typical toll road users, catching many recipients off guard even when they don’t own vehicles or regularly travel on toll roads.

“We’ve received reports from elderly residents who don’t even drive and teenagers without licenses who are receiving these threatening messages,” noted a spokesperson from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. “The indiscriminate nature of the targeting indicates the operation is working from purchased phone number databases rather than actual toll authority customer information.”

The randomized approach has proven effective, as scammers need only a small percentage of recipients to respond in order to generate significant financial returns through stolen credit card information and identity theft.

Official Agencies Clarify Legitimate Communication Methods

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority and New Jersey E-ZPass have issued joint statements emphasizing that they never request payment through text message links. “New Jersey E-ZPass does not send unsolicited text messages to collect payments,” officials stated on the Turnpike Authority’s website, adding that legitimate communications about toll violations come exclusively through official U.S. Mail.

For drivers concerned about potential legitimate outstanding toll violations, authorities recommend accessing the official E-ZPass New Jersey website directly through a web browser rather than following any links received via text or email. Suspicious messages should be reported to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and deleted without clicking any embedded links.

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has established a special hotline (1-800-242-5846) for residents to report suspected toll scam messages, and is coordinating with cellular service providers to develop enhanced blocking measures for known scam numbers.

Source: NJBreakingNews.com

Preventative Measures Recommended

Law enforcement officials recommend several preventative measures for New Jersey drivers, including registering for official E-ZPass mobile alerts, which are only sent to customers who specifically opt into the service. These legitimate alerts will only ever direct users to official websites ending in “.gov” domains.

Cybersecurity experts also suggest that drivers should routinely check their toll payment accounts through official channels and maintain a healthy skepticism toward any unexpected payment demands, particularly those creating a false sense of urgency through threats of additional fines or legal action.

As the investigation continues, authorities expect the scam may adapt to evade detection, potentially shifting to other communication methods like email or voice calls. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about evolving scam techniques through the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security’s public alerts system.

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