The unpaid-toll text scam

What the scam looks like

You get a text saying you owe a small unpaid toll or road fee - often just a few dollars - and that you must pay right away to avoid a late penalty or losing your licence. The message includes a link to a payment page that looks official.

The tiny amount is deliberate. Scammers know that for a few dollars, many people pay without thinking twice - and the real prize is the credit-card number and personal details you type into the fake page.

Red flags

• A toll or government agency contacting you by text about a tiny unpaid balance.
• A link to a look-alike domain that is not the real tolling authority's website.
• Pressure to pay immediately to avoid a fine, penalty, or suspension.
• A request for your full card number, address, and other details on the linked page.

What to do

• Don't click the link. If you think you might owe a toll, go to the tolling authority's website directly by typing the address yourself.
• If you already tapped the link, don't enter anything. If you entered card details, contact your bank right away.
• Report the text (forward it to 7726 / "SPAM" on most Canadian carriers), then delete it.
• Not sure about a message? Paste it into our scam-text checker - it flags the common tricks for you.