The Kansas Turnpike Authority is warning customers to watch out for a text message scam, known as “smishing,” that claims to be from the toll payment system.
Some customers have reported receiving a text with a photo of the KTA’s DriveKS logo and it states that outstanding balances have to be paid to avoid additional fees. The phone numbers targeted in the scam seem to be chosen at random and are not uniquely associated with a toll account or use of toll roads. Smishing scams of other varieties have been reported by toll agencies across the country since early April causing the FBI to issue a public service announcement about the fraudulent SMS texting campaign.
The KTA is reminding customers to watch for signs of a scam:
- Do not click links or use the URL provided in unsolicited text messages.
- KTA does not send unsolicited text messages. All text messages require customer sign-up through their DriveKS account or for roadway incident alerts.
- KTA does not charge fees such as those mentioned in the text messages.
- KTA does not send text messages for toll payment.
Customers who receive an unsolicited text, suggesting it is from the KTA or another toll agency, should not click the link. Instead they are encouraged to file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov
