The FBI has put out an urgent warning for smartphone users—especially those with iPhones and Androids—advising them not to respond to or click on links in suspicious text messages. This type of scam is called “smishing,” which is essentially phishing via SMS. Instead, they recommend that you delete such messages right away, even if you haven't opened them.
What’s Going On?
Smishing scams related to tolls are becoming more common. Scammers are sending texts pretending to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), stating that users owe unpaid tolls or fines, often including fraudulent links designed to steal personal or financial information.
A huge increase in attacks was noted in June, with scammers using DMV-themed messages resulting in an 800% rise in activity.
Advanced impersonation schemes are also happening. Fraudsters are mimicking high-ranking U.S. government officials through both text (smishing) and voice (vishing) scams, sometimes using AI-generated voices to trick targets into giving up their credentials.
What the FBI Recommends
Don’t reply or click. Responding or clicking on links can put you at risk of malware or identity theft.
Delete suspicious texts right away. Even if you haven't opened them, these messages can be dangerous—it's best to get rid of them without engaging.
Check legitimacy through official channels. If you receive a message from someone claiming to be a toll agency, DMV, or government office, contact them using trusted methods rather than the details provided in the message.
Report the scam. You can report attempts to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Practice secure habits. Use multi-factor authentication or passkeys, and be cautious of unexpected messages, particularly those that sound urgent or threatening.
Why These Warnings Matter
High volume and range of scams—criminals are using generic yet urgent language, fake websites, and spoofed sender info to seem legitimate.
Wider targeting—these scams often affect multiple states and sometimes fake connections to public officials or institutions to seem more credible.
Cost-effective, high-reward strategy—FBI agents note that these attacks are easy to scale up and can lead to significant data or financial losses.
Bottom Line: If you get a text that claims to be from a government agency or official, especially about unpaid tolls, fines, or urgent requests, don’t reply or click on any links, and definitely don’t give out any information. Instead, delete it immediately, double-check through trusted sources, and report your experience to the right authorities.
