Why Toll Text Scams Are Out Of Control

The FBI has issued a warning against “smishing”, which are text-based scams that people all over the country are receiving on their phones. Scammers are impersonating the agencies and companies that collect money for tolls parking tickets, credit card payments, bank notices, phone bills. Some scams are even fake anti-scam warnings. Smishing or text fraud is a new kind of old crime and it is enabled by the rise of smartphones and cashless billing. CNBC talked to toll collectors and crime experts about the rise of this problem, how to know a text is fake, and what to do about it.

Chapters:
0:00 - 01:08 Introduction
01:14 Chapter 1 - The scam
8:10 Chapter 2 - The perpetrators
10:19 Chapter 3 - How to protect yourself

Producer: Robert Ferris
Editor: Nic Golden Henry
Animation: Andrea Schmitz
Senior Managing Producer: Tala Hadavi
Camera: Jordan Smith and Natalie Rice
Senior Director of Video: Jeniece Pettitt
Additional footage: Getty Images
Additional sources: Federal Bureau of Investigation

» Subscribe to CNBC: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC
» Subscribe to CNBC TV: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision

About CNBC: From 'Wall Street' to 'Main Street' to award winning original documentaries and Reality TV series, CNBC has you covered. Experience special sneak peeks of your favorite shows, exclusive video and more.

Want to earn some extra money on the side? Take CNBC’s new online course How to Start a Side Hustle to learn tips to get started and strategies for success from top side hustle experts. Pre-register now and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off $97 (+taxes and fees) through April 1, 2025: https://cnb.cx/4gPqi2y

Connect with CNBC News Online
Get the latest news: https://www.cnbc.com/
Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/LinkedInCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Instagram: https://cnb.cx/InstagramCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBC
Follow CNBC on Threads: https://cnb.cx/threads
Follow CNBC News on X: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBC
Follow CNBC on WhatsApp: https://cnb.cx/WhatsAppCNBC

#CNBC

Why Toll Text Scams Are Out Of Control

Post from CNBC on March 15, 2025

View Original Post