Watch out for tolls scam
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- For about a year and a half now, drivers have been ponying up to ride on the state's first, and only, toll road running from south of Durham down to Holly Springs.
Folks using the high-tech through-way either have a transponder on their car and are billed automatically, or they get paper bills in the mail after cameras snapped pictures of their license plates.
But lately, folks have been getting emails saying they have unpaid tolls that tell them to "click here" to settle up.
"One actually says collection agency and the others say you owe a payment," said Holly Springs resident Bobbi Krause.
Krause got three emails over a three-day period.
"I believe they're trolling. They're just saying unpaid, and we've sent emails repeatedly," said Krause.
The emails are scams. And they're not just going out in North Carolina. We're told people are getting them up and down the eastern seaboard - anywhere Quick Pass's big brother E-Z Pass is also up and running.
In Krause's case, the links in the emails didn't go anywhere. She saw the scam for what it was.
"They're trying to steal people's identity, people's money, your identity," said Krause.
So how can you tell if you're a target? For starters, the NCDOT says they'll never email you a bill, period.
Also, some of the notices have E-Z Pass on them. North Carolina doesn't use E-Z Pass. We have Quick Pass.
But while Krause didn't fall for it, she's concerned others might.
"It's scary. I mean, they could wipe you out of money, older people who don't understand the internet and get taken advantage of," said Krause.
Attorney General Roy Cooper's office tells us they know about the scam. It recommends consumers report forward the entire email to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov. North Carolina consumers are also welcome to file a consumer complaint with the AG's office at www.ncdoj.gov or 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (toll free from an NC number).
Anyone who fell for one of the phishing emails, and provided a bank account or credit card number, should contact their bank or credit card company immediately and also report it to http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx.
