Michigan residents are being alerted to a spike in a persistent toll scam, targeting the western part of the state with fraudulent text messages alleging unpaid fees to the Michigan Department of Transportation. In a recent warning, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Michigan Department of Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich stressed the importance of consumer vigilance, as detailed in statements obtained by the Michigan Department of Attorney General. These texts, falsely representing Michigan Department of Transportation , threaten legal consequences without swift payment and include suspicious links that mimic the agency's official web presence.
Toll fees are only collected at the Blue Water Bridge, International Bridge, and Mackinac Bridge, and they come via mail – not text messages. "While this toll scam isn’t new, it is becoming more prevalent, particularly in West Michigan," Nessel said. Furthermore, Director Wieferich clarified, "MDOT officials want to remind all drivers, our department does not operate toll roads," and emphasized that legitimate toll transactions do not employ license plate readers and would never result in a texted bill. The recent uptick in these deceptive messages has prompted these officials to issue this concerted warning, as reported by the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
Scammers are increasingly utilizing short message services, like text messages, to ensnare unwary individuals into their fraud schemes. A common hallmark of these so-called smishing tactics includes, messages that are unsolicited, originate from lengthy phone numbers, and contain scrambled or shortened links. These text messages often exert undue urgency, may have spelling and grammatical issues, propose dubious rewards or ask for sensitive personal or financial details, as per the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
Michigan Department of Attorney General urges people not to reply to suspicious text messages. Instead, report them by forwarding to SPAM (7726) and the Federal Trade Commission. You can also use your phone’s spam-blocking tools for extra protection. Nessel reminded everyone that real government agencies will never ask for personal information or payments through email, phone, or text—or accept payment by prepaid cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps.
For those seeking further action or information, the Michigan Department of Attorney General encourages reaching out to the Consumer Protection Team. Contact details, including a phone number, fax line, and online complaint form, are available to ensure support is accessible for individuals impacted by these or similar scams.
