Scam Alert: Emails Target E-ZPass Users in Hunt for Money, Bank Info

Scammers are going after E-ZPass holders in Virginia and the D.C. metro area, and those who aren’t careful may fall into the trap, AAA Mid-Atlantic warns.

Many E-ZPass holders in the area have received what AAA describes as “bogus” emails stating the driver is “indebted for driving on toll roads.” However, in most cases those emails have no credibility, and are instead phishing for money and financial information from E-ZPass members throughout the region.

AAA said unless you receive an email about a toll debt from the Virginia Department of Transportation, the email is indeed a scam.

Those who follow the link in the scam email are taken to a page where they are asked to input personal and financial information to pay off these “debts,” and clicking the link could invite a virus into your computer.

“Everyone must be on guard for these fraudsters attempting to con you out of your hard-earned funds and account information, compromise your security, and wreak havoc on your computer system,” John B. Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Manager of Public and Government Affairs, said in a news release. “Be wary. Be wise. Don’t fall prey to any attempt to steal your personal information. Be skeptical of all e-mail that directs the user to a website in which credit card or personal information is entered.”

Scam emails can be identified by toll road number “000923942,” and often contain poor grammar and misspelled words.