Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has issued a warning about a tolling-related text scam targeting Hoosiers, including residents in Washington County. This scam, known as “smishing,” involves fraudulent messages falsely claiming to be from INDOT or tolling service providers.
The scam messages alert recipients of a “final notice” regarding unpaid tolls and may threaten additional fines, late fees, vehicle registration suspension, vehicle impoundment, or legal action. These texts include a malicious link requesting payment, which residents are urged not to open.
According to the FBI, over 2,000 complaints of fraudulent toll-related text messages have been reported nationwide since April 2024. Victims of these scams are encouraged to report them to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov and delete the texts immediately.
“These scams are becoming more sophisticated, and scammers will use fear tactics to trick people into clicking malicious links,” said Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller. “If you receive a suspicious text about unpaid tolls, do not engage with it. Report it, delete it, and only trust official sources for information.”
Washington County residents can monitor official road conditions and alerts through these trusted sources:
The Indiana Department of Transportation continues working to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable transportation infrastructure for Indiana residents. Indiana has ranked in the top 10 in the nation for infrastructure in CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business” rankings for the eighth consecutive year.
For more information on roadway safety and updates, visit in.gov/indot.
