False Street Texts Texts hide America while Chinese fraudsters target us drivers

A new scam has come to light aiming at residents across the United States with text messages claiming to be from street operators. For many people who receive these messages, it is a light and expensive trap to enter.

Fraud begins when people receive a message claiming they have outstanding tariffs and can be fined. Scammers then require card details and a password once sent through SMS to steal their money. Security researchers believe that Chinese smile groups are after this fraud, selling SMS -based phishing for thousands of rogues.

What do you need to know about fake fraud

As reported by Krebsonsecurance, fraud begins with a text message claiming to be from a tariff road operator, such as E-Zpass or Sunpass. The message warns of outstanding tariffs and the possibility of fines, forcing recipients to act quickly. Victims are directed to a fake website imitating the tariff operator’s website, which are required to provide sensitive information, including payment card details and passwords once.

Security researchers have tracked fraud in the bright Chinese groups known for creating and selling sophisticated Phishing SMS sets. Such a bag, “Lighthouse”, makes it easy for fraudsters to destroy road operators in multiple countries. These sets are designed to deceive users in sharing financial information, which is then used to make fraud.

Reports of these Phishing attacks have appeared across the US, aiming at users of tariff systems such as Ezdrivema in Massachusetts, Sunpass in Florida and North Texas Texas Authority. Similar frauds have been reported in countries including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota and Washington. Phishing sites are optimized on mobile and will not be loaded on non-moving equipment, making them even more misleading.

Phishing frauds are evolving

Recent advances in Phishing boxes include a better distribution through integration with Apple Imessage and Android RCS technology, bypassing traditional SMS spam filters. These methods increase the opportunity for victims to receive and engage with fraudulent messages. Phishing countries are dynamically operated in real time by criminals, making them more difficult to detect and close. Even individuals who do not own a vehicle have reported to receive these messages, indicating the case target.

7 ways to stay safe from the tariff fraud messagesnapper

By standing alert and following the steps below, you can protect against the fall of tariff fraud victims.

• Verify directly with tariff operators: If you receive a message about the outstanding fees or fines, do not click on any links. Instead, visit the official website of your tariff operator or directly contact their customer service to verify the request.
• Install a strong antivirus software: the best way to protect yourself from malicious links is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also warn you of Phishing mail and Ransomware fraud, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my choices for the best Antivirus Protection winners of 2025 for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
• Do not share personal information: Never provide sensitive details as payment card information, social security numbers or passwords once through the text or non -verified websites. Legal tariff operators will not require such information through SMS.
• Activate two -factor certificate (2FA): Use 2FA for your accounts when possible. This adds an additional layer of protection looking for two forms of verification, reducing the risk of unauthorized access even if some details are endangered.
• Be wary of emergency in messages: scammers often create a sense of urgency, claiming that immediate action is required to avoid fines. Take a moment to assess the situation and verify the legitimacy of the message through official channels.
• Report suspicious messages: If you suspect a phishing attempt, report it to the Federal Commission of Trade or the FBI Internet Crime Complaints Center. Include details such as the sender’s phone number and each link to the message. Moreover, inform your mobile carrier to help block similar frauds.
• Use a personal data removal service: Use a reputable data removal service to reduce your trail online and minimize the risk of fraudsters receiving your personal information. These services can help remove your data from various data broker sites, making it harder for fraudsters to aim for personalized fraud. While no service promises to remove all your data from the Internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites for a longer period of time. Check out my main choices for data removal services here.