York County Press Release
YORK—York County Sheriff Paul Vrbka is warning people about an increasing number of scams involving text messages indicating that someone owes toll fines in other states.
He said they have received calls from individuals who got texts saying they owe a certain amount of toll money accrued while they were traveling in other states where toll roads exist.
“Most people are confused and if they have been traveling in another state, they might think it’s real,” Sheriff Vrbka said. “Others know it’s not real because as one elderly woman told me she hadn’t been in Texas for 45 years. The thing to know is that if you were driving in a state where they have toll roads and they might legitimately owe money, the notice will not be sent to them via text message. It will come in the mail and will likely include a photo of their vehicle and their license plate.
“Also, another thing to check is to make sure, if they do get a letter with photos, they take a good close look at it to make sure it really is your vehicle,” Vrbka said. “We had a lady bring in the photo sent to her of her license plate – but we noticed it was not real because her license plate has a handicapped sign on it and the photo someone sent her did not have that on the license plate.”
If someone gets this type of notice and is skeptical, the best thing to do is contact the sheriff’s or police department to have it checked out. Do not make any payments unless you are absolutely certain they are legitimate—and if it comes via text, do not respond.
*Be careful! I (Shannon Siebert) received one of these text scams last week and almost believed it since I have an account with a toll road in Denver, which they referred to.
