In some cases, these phishing emails also wrongly demand documentation like a certificate of insurance and a driver’s license under the guise of preventing fraud. Additionally, they may falsely threaten a fine for not responding within a day—contrary to FMCSA’s standard operating procedures during registration.

These fraudulent messages may originate from addresses such as safety@fmcsa.gov, filing@fmcsa.gov, dotfilings@fmcsa.gov, or audit@fmcsa.gov, which are not sanctioned by FMCSA. Any replies are redirected to @fmcsa-safety-fmcsa.com, a domain that FMCSA does not own or utilize.

Disclosing this information may lead to unauthorized access to FMCSA accounts, as it contains Personally Identifiable Information (PII). The counterfeit emails are designed to mimic official correspondence, making them appear legitimate. For reference, screenshots of these phishing attempts are available on the FMCSA website.

Official communications from FMCSA concerning information requests will either instruct you to log in to your portal account at FMCSA Login (.gov site) or will be sent directly from an FMCSA designated email address. Legitimate emails typically end with “.gov.” Stakeholders are encouraged to verify any suspicious emails or communication directly with the FMCSA.

Source: Truckers News

The post Important Alert for Truckers: New Phishing Email Scheme Identified appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

States Affected by the Scam

The Kansas Turnpike Authority is among those affected, with director Rachel Bell highlighting that local residents are being targeted with fake messages from “Kansas Toll Services” demanding settlement for unpaid dues. “The Kansas Turnpike does not send text messages for toll payment,” Bell emphasized. Echoing this sentiment, over 2,000 complaints regarding such scams have been recorded by the FBI across multiple states, prompting authorities to issue public alerts. The messages often include links to spoofed websites where users are coerced into making unnecessary payments.

Example of a Scam Message

A typical scam message reads:

“(State Toll Service Name): We’ve noticed an outstanding toll amount of $12.51 on your record. To avoid a late fee of $50.00, visit https://myturnpiketollservices.com to settle your balance.”

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Message

If you encounter a suspicious text about toll payments, it’s crucial to take the following steps:

• Verify your account through the official toll service website.

• Contact the toll operator’s customer service for assistance.

• Delete any dubious messages immediately.

• Secure your accounts and monitor them for any unauthorized activity if you’ve engaged with a fraudulent link.

Additionally, the FBI encourages victims to report these incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, noting the source phone number and any suspected fraudulent web addresses.

Awareness and Precautionary Measures

Following the FBI’s alert, the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) notified toll operators in six states, including Texas and Florida, about similar smishing threats. In New Jersey, for instance, a fraudulent message read:

“NJ Turnpike toll services: We’ve noticed an outstanding toll amount of $13.34 on your record. To avoid a late fee of $50.00, visit https://njtollservices.com to settle your balance.”

Additionally, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has cautioned individuals about fraudulent texts regarding tolls and listed websites to watch for, such as:

• sunpass-service.com

• sunpass-help.com

• and several others.

“Scammers craft these messages with links designed to steal consumers’ personal and financial information,” Nessel stated.

Ongoing Efforts Against Scamming Activities

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has launched initiatives to shut down numerous fraudulent websites masquerading as official toll collection platforms. North Carolina’s Attorney General Josh Stein has similarly alerted residents about deceitful robo-texts impersonating toll road services. Toll operators remain vigilant, with the Pennsylvania Turnpike also warning about texts falsely attributed to “Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Services.”

Source: Transport Topics

The post Escalating Smishing Scams Targeting Toll Operators appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

According to OOIDA, which advocates for small-business truckers, several members have reported receiving deceptive emails aimed at stealing a motor carrier’s authority.

These scam emails, posing as official communication from FMCSA, contain attachments labeled as MCSA-5889 or MCS-150 forms and request the recipient’s USDOT PIN.

“Although the emails come from a .gov domain, these emails are not from FMCSA,” says Crystal Minardi from OOIDA’s Business Services. “FMCSA will never ask you for your PIN on a manual form. We are advising our members not to reply.”

Instances of this scam have already been brought to FMCSA’s attention. If you receive such an email, do not fill out the attached form or respond.

If you believe your company has fallen victim to this fraud or identity theft, visit FMCSA’s website and click on the Fraud Advisory link to report the incident. Additionally, victims should contact the DOT Office of Inspector General by calling 800-424-9071 or emailing hotline@oig.dot.gov.

Source: Land Line

The post Beware of Fraudulent Emails Targeting Truckers appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

In a post shared on Facebook, the Authority underscored that neither E-ZPass nor Tolls By Mail would ever solicit sensitive personal information via email. They made it clear that details such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, usernames, or passwords are never requested through email or any other unsolicited contact.

“If you are contacted by anyone stating that they are from E-ZPass or Tolls By Mail and they are seeking personal information, please do not provide the information requested,” the Authority warned.

For those needing assistance, support is available through E-ZPass at 1-800-333-8655 E-ZPass NY or Tolls By Mail at 1-844-826-8400 Tolls By Mail NY.

Additionally, incidents can be reported to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center by visiting IC3.

Remain vigilant and protect your personal information by being aware of these deceitful email tactics.

Source: Truckers News

The post Important Notice from NYS Thruway Authority: Beware of E-ZPass and Tolls By Mail Email Scams appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

According to the issued statement, “The targeted phone numbers seem to be chosen at random and are not uniquely associated with an account or usage of toll roads,” the news release notes. “Customers who receive an unsolicited text, email, or similar message suggesting it is from EZDriveMA or another toll agency should not click on the link.”

EZDriveMA released specific statements on the actions they do and do not take when requesting payment from customers:

• EZDriveMA will never request payment through text messages.
• Any legitimate links from EZDriveMA will always use the domain www.EZDriveMA.com.

This particular scam is part of a broader series of smishing scams currently being monitored by the FBI. The FBI recommends the following actions if you receive such fraudulent messages:

1. File a complaint with the IC3 at https://www.ic3.gov/.
2. Note the phone number from which the text originated.
3. Include any website address mentioned in the message.
4. Validate your account through the official toll service website.
5. Contact EZDriveMA’s customer service at (877) 627-7745.
6. Delete any received smishing texts.
7. If you have clicked on a link or shared personal information, take immediate steps to secure your personal data and financial accounts and report any unauthorized charges.

MassDOT strongly advises all customers to stay alert to these scams and to visit https://www.ezdrivema.com/ for any questions or concerns regarding notifications from EZDriveMA.

Source: The Trucker

The post MassDOT Warns Toll Users of Scammer Targeting appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The E-ZPass program includes toll agencies and firms in 19 states and boasts a total of 53 million E-ZPass devices.

In a recent statement, the E-ZPass Group disclosed that the scam involves enticing customers to divulge personal and financial details on a counterfeit website. The fraudulent text, which claims it’s from “E-ZPass Toll Services,” includes a link for settling an alleged overdue toll to avoid penalties.

E-ZPass emphasized the deceptive nature of these messages, clearly stating that any toll account details provided are false and that this is a scam that users should not interact with. Recipients of these texts are urged not to click embedded links and then to delete the messages promptly.

“Scam attacks through emails and text messaging are on the rise in our country, and protecting the safety of E-ZPass customer information is of paramount importance to us,” said PJ Wilkins, E-ZPass Group executive director. “We will continue to work with our partnering states to alert our customers of any criminal activity that places them at risk, and we encourage E-ZPass customers to be vigilant in ensuring that their personal and financial information is not compromised by falling prey to these fraudulent schemes.”

Those who have already clicked on the link and submitted information are advised to notify their financial institution and inform E-ZPass of any inaccuracies in their account details.

The FBI has previously alerted the public to a surge in such fraudulent texts targeting toll road users, receiving over 2,000 complaints related to scam texts impersonating toll collection services.

Victims can report incidents to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center via ic3.gov.

Source: Land Line

The post E-ZPass Scam Targeting Trucking Industry – How to Protect Your Sensitive Information appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Since early March, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has received over 2,000 complaints regarding fraudulent text messages, a tactic known as smishing, supposedly representing toll collection services in at least three states.

Smishing involves the use of deceptive text messages to manipulate individuals into downloading malware, divulging sensitive information, or sending money to cybercriminals.

Information from IC3 complaints suggests that this scam may be spreading across state lines. The text messages typically allege unpaid toll fees and utilize nearly identical language across multiple complaints.

While the claimed “outstanding toll amount” remains consistent, the links provided within the messages mimic the names of state toll services, and the associated phone numbers vary between states. A typical example of these smishing texts is as follows:

(State Toll Service Name): We have identified an outstanding toll amount of $12.51 linked to your account. To avoid a late fee of $50.00, please visit https://myturnpiketollservices.com to settle your balance.

If you receive such a text, the FBI advises taking the following steps:

• File a complaint with the IC3 at www.ic3.gov. Include the phone number from which the text originated and the website mentioned in the message.
• Verify your account status through the legitimate website of the toll service in question.
• Contact the customer service phone number provided by the toll service.
• Delete any smishing texts you receive.
• If you click on any links or share your information, take measures to safeguard your personal and financial data. Challenge any unauthorized charges that appear.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

The post New Toll Road Text Messaging Scam is Affecting Professional Drivers appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Not only are truck drivers affected, but the repercussions ripple through the entire ecosystem. Banks and merchants are left to deal with the fallout, leading to negative outcomes and financial losses.

Luckily, there’s a solution: contactless, digital payments for diesel. This technology has the potential to help the trucking industry put an end to the problem of card skimming, protecting fleets and streamlining the payment process.

The Issue

Card skimming is a deceptive practice that involves using illegal devices to steal credit or debit card information from unsuspecting individuals. These devices, known as skimmers, are cleverly installed on ATM machines or fuel pumps, capturing sensitive data when drivers swipe their cards. Truck stops are especially vulnerable to card skimming due to the frequent use of card swiping by truck drivers.

In the trucking industry, fuel cards are a primary form of payment, making them a prime target for card skimmers. These fraudsters collect the stolen information to create fraudulent fuel cards. They then exploit these cards to “purchase” fuel at the expense of the driver or carrier, reselling it for personal profit. Although carriers and fuel-card issuers attempt to mitigate the risk by imposing daily spend caps, scammers find clever ways to bypass these limitations.

Card skimming poses a significant threat to the trucking industry, impacting both large chains and smaller independent truck stops. While the exact financial toll of fuel skimming remains uncertain, experts estimate that it costs the industry millions of dollars each month, and the problem is growing. Credit services company FICO reported a 368% increase in compromised cards due to skimming activity across all industries in 2022.

Effects of Card Skimming Fraud

When a card is compromised through skimming, the consequences can be costly and inconvenient. Scammers will use the stolen card details to make fraudulent purchases, often racking up thousands of dollars in charges before anyone notices. In response, the fleet may freeze the stolen card, leaving the driver without a fuel card for their travels.

This situation creates a burden for both the driver and the back office. While the back-office handles reimbursement claims and verification processes, the driver is left to find alternative payment methods. Whether it’s using cash, a personal credit card, or another form of payment, the driver ends up paying out of pocket and must keep track of receipts for reimbursement. Unfortunately, this process can take a considerable amount of time.

Not only does the driver face financial inconveniences, but they also miss out on the discounts they would typically receive when using their fuel card. This further impacts their margins and adds to the frustration of the situation.

Given the prevalence of drivers and scammers, it’s no surprise that this is a frequent issue. For larger fleets, dealing with card skimmers becomes an ongoing headache for the back office, and drivers may be left without a company fuel card for weeks on end.

A Simple Solution

Many companies claim that GPS technology and telematics data can help prevent card skimming by implementing controls to limit card usage and authorized fuel amounts. Clever criminals, however still find ways to manipulate this system and profit from stolen data.

Truck stops are now advocating for a much simpler and effective solution: digital payments for fuel. By eliminating physical cards, the opportunity for data skimming disappears.

This shift to digital payments is not only a huge benefit for truck stops, saving substantial revenue and reducing back-office burdens caused by skimming incidents, but it also benefits carriers and drivers. They experience fewer hassles, save time, and save money in the process.

There are additional advantages to using contactless, digital payments for diesel. More payment providers are integrating merchant loyalty programs, allowing drivers and carriers to enjoy rewards similar to those offered by physical fuel cards. In addition, many digital payment providers offer significant discounts for specific locations, which can greatly benefit owner-operators. Carriers can still implement other protective measures, such as card limits and preauthorized fuel and location restrictions.

As more merchants, fleets, and drivers in the industry transition away from physical fuel cards, there is no doubt that card skimming in the diesel industry will decrease.

Source: Transport Topics

The post Solving the Trucking Industry’s Massive Card Skimming Problem with Contactless Diesel Payments appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.