SCAM HINT #1 = E-MAIL NOTICE: I recently received an e-mail from E-Z Pass telling me I owed them money. They directed me to open an attachment at the bottom of the e-mail for further details.
The first question flowing into my analytical mind was how did a toll authority get my e-mail address? As it turns out, the toll authority does not bill by e-mail. They run violator license plates and then send regular mail to the registered owner of the vehicle.
I did not open the attachment and instead chose to call the E-Z Pass organization from a phone number I found via a Google search.
SCAM HINT #2 = E-Z Pass is on East Coast: Because I do not subscribe to our Washington State Toll Authority program, known as Good To Go, I did not focus on the fact that E-Z Pass is an East Coast program, not a Washington State program. I spend time on the East Coast, so E-Z Pass is a household word for me even though I am not a subscriber. My phone call took me to Pennsylvania.
E-Z Pass was quick to inform me that the e-mail is a phishing scam to get money and probably financial information from unsuspecting victims.
As obvious as the scam might be, we all lead busy lives. It would be easy to not focus and simply send money and financial information to these evil-doers. Don’t do it.
Okay, now that I saved you from being victimized, may I suggest you consider sending your savings to your favorite charity?
Be careful, this kind of thing can take its toll on you.
Good catch. Thanks for being a considerate citizen and sharing this information.