Attorney General Jeff Jackson and the North Carolina Turnpike Authority have issued a warning to residents about a rise in text message scams. These messages falsely claim to be from NC Quick Pass and other tolling agencies, demanding payment for unpaid tolls. The North Carolina Department of Justice is actively investigating these incidents.
“These scam texts are targeting a massive number of people—including me,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “Don’t fall for them, and please warn your family. We’re investigating, but in the meantime, be wary of any unsolicited texts—especially those that claim to be from the government or threaten legal action.”
The fraudulent messages are sent randomly and do not specifically target actual toll users. In early 2024, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 2,000 complaints regarding these texts across three states within a single month. The scam has since expanded nationwide. NC Quick Pass is receiving thousands of inquiries daily from concerned citizens questioning the authenticity of these texts. Clicking on links in such messages can lead to financial fraud by giving scammers access to bank accounts and personal data.
International law enforcement traced the origin of these scams to Canada in early 2024. It is believed that the perpetrators have since moved their operations to the U.S., significantly increasing their activities due to its profitability. The Department of Justice is collaborating with federal and international partners to trace the source of these scams and investigate how fraudsters use URLs similar to legitimate NC Quick Pass websites.
Residents are advised on how to verify legitimate texts from NC Quick Pass and what steps to take if they receive one of these scam messages:
- Note the phone number from which the text originated.
- Check the website listed within the text.
Further information on identifying phishing texts and scams can be found at https://ncdoj.gov/internet-safety/phishing/. Details specific to toll text scams are available at https://www.ncquickpass.com/identify-a-scam/. If there is uncertainty about a message's legitimacy, contact the Turnpike Authority through www.ncquickpass.com.