DRIVERS in a major US city are being warned of a ‘creative’ new scam that could drain their bank accounts.
Road users all over the metro area of Atlanta, Georgia, have been receiving threatening messages demanding they pay a fine – or face the consequences.
However, the messages, which are related to the Peach Pass – an electronic toll collection system that allows drivers to pay tolls on Georgia Express Lanes and other toll roads – are completely fake and include a malicious link.
While many of us are well aware that clicking on such links is strongly inadvisable, a report by WSBTV highlights that the web address and language used in the message are almost identical to those associated with Peach Pass.
It even looks like the real website once you click the link.
Peach Pass spokesperson Ericka Bayonne said: “They’re getting very creative.
“They’re actually using a portion of our domain, mypeachpass.com, which of course is how our customers are able to access their accounts, but they’re adding letters and other characters behind it.”
Scammers have even managed to steal Peach Pass logos and images, making their fake website look legitimate.
However, Bayonne urged drivers to be mindful that the company would never reach out to customers in this way.
She said: “We would never, and I say this emphatically because I really want customers to understand, Peach Pass will never send you a text message asking for your personal information, your banking information.”
One customer, Creshon Saunders, even went to the Peach Pass customer service center in downtown Atlanta to check on her account, after receiving one of the text warnings.
In the message, it said that she could face severe penalties or even legal action if she did not pay an unpaid toll bill.
Saunders said: “I’m like, this is kind of suspicious. I’ve never gotten a text from Peach Pass before.
“So, I ended up calling the Peach Pass office and she said, immediately, that’s a scam.”
She’s not alone, with hundreds of vehicle owners on social media revealing they received the same type of message.
Peach Pass is now in the process of reporting the illegal use of their copyrighted logos and images on the fake websites to investigators at the FTC and FBI.
They have also put an alert out on the scam texts on their website, warning the public of “a troublesome level of fraudulent SMS texting attempting to scam toll road users.”
They go on to claim that the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center “has received over 2,000 complaints reporting fraudulent texts representing road toll collection service.”
Bayonne added: “You can protect yourself by just simply, don’t click it.
“We say don’t click. It is a trick.”
How to avoid a contractor scam
Tips to avoid being scammed into a driveway, sidewalk, or walkway job:
Just because someone shows up at your door wearing a reflective vest, a hard hat, and work boots does not mean they come from a reputable contracting company.
A scammer may tell you they could do a driveway, walkway, or sidewalk repaving for much cheaper than the previous contractor told you, appealing to homeowners looking to save thousands on home repairs.
Before writing a check or paying cash for what seems like an offer that’s too good to be true, here are some tips to ensure it’s not a scam.
Get three quotes from three different companies to see the variation in pricing. Never pay in advance. A reputable company will not take money upfront, as prices vary by the job, and complications can raise the price. Ask for a contractor license. In many states, if you ask to see their license, contractors are legally obligated to present it. Avoid door-to-door salesmen who say they’re in the area doing work. Many times, they’ll take a deposit and never show. Avoid paying by cashier’s check, cash, or via wire transfer. Paying with a credit card is the easiest way to dispute it if it is a scam. Keep communication in writing, such as email or text, to help protect you if things need to be handled legally and a police report is needed. Don’t feel pressured to make an immediate decision. Sometimes scammers will create a sense of urgency, but it’s important to take a step back and do some research.Read more here.
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