Consumer Alert: Overdue Toll Scams Target Wisconsin

​​​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 28, 2025
Contact: Caleb Kulich, Public Inform​​ation Officer, (608) 621-1290, caleb.kulich@wisconsin.gov

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​​​​MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is alerting consumers to an influx of scam text messages claiming to come from a tolling agency collecting overdue fees.

Overdue toll text scammers appear to be targeting Wisconsin consumers with “final reminder" messages that say they are from E-ZPass or the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The messages include a link to pay outstanding balances right away to avoid penalties and legal actions. If opened, the link leads to a website which is an imposter toll payment portal that looks legitimate but is controlled by a scammer. 

To avoid text scams about fake overdue toll fees, consumers should:

  • Slow down. There is no need to r​​ush to click on links or respond to the text. Scammers want to scare consumers into reacting quickly before they get a chance to pause and consider the possibility of a scam.

  • Check with the tolling agency directly if they have recently traveled in a tolling area and are concerned they may owe toll fees. Consumers should contact the state's tolling agency using a legitimate phone number or website, avoiding using any contact information provided by the suspicious text message.

  • Avoid engaging with the message – report it and delete it. Unwanted messages are often sent by scammers. The best way to prevent a scam is to avoid interactin​g with it entirely.

Paying a scammer could result in consumers losing their money or scammers accessing ​their personal information. Consumers are encouraged to report suspicious calls, texts, and phone numbers to their service provider using their smartphone's built-in reporting options.

For more information and consumer protection resources, or to file a complaint, visit DATCP's Consumer Protection webpage at ConsumerProtection.wi.gov. DATCP's Consum​er Protection Hotline can be contacted at (800) 422-7128 or DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov.

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