PSA: Beware of VDOT 'Final Reminder' text scam

Watch out for scam text messages pretending to be from the Virginia Department of Transportation, or VDOT. Virginians are reporting texts labeled as a “VDOT Final Reminder,” falsely claiming they have an unpaid toll. These messages often include a deadline, like April 16, 2025, and threaten “additional penalties or legal proceedings” if the supposed toll isn’t paid immediately.

The text urges recipients to click a link to “Pay Now.” However, these links lead to fake websites designed to steal your personal and financial information. Look closely at the web address provided in the text. A recent example used a link ending in “.win” and included odd phrasing like “virginia-govcu,” which are clear signs it isn’t an official government site. Real VDOT or E-ZPass websites will typically end in “.gov” or “.com”.

Here’s a screenshot of the text message shared by Bensrulez on Reddit:

Many people are receiving these fake alerts. On Reddit, user jennakiller mentioned, “I’ve been getting these, sometimes twice a day, sporadically over the last 5-6 months. Yes, it’s a scam.” Another user, headlesssamurai, noted that sometimes these messages are sent to large groups of people at once, another common scam tactic.

It’s important to remember how VDOT and E-ZPass usually handle toll billing. As user ChickenChangezi pointed out, “The government isn’t going to send you a text message to remind you that you have unpaid bills. You’ll either see the balance on your EZ-Pass account, or you’ll receive a notification in the mail.” While E-ZPass might send legitimate texts if you’ve specifically opted in for low balance alerts, these official messages won’t contain threatening language or suspicious links demanding immediate payment.

This isn’t the first time scammers have used this tactic. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles issued a warning about similar toll charge text scams back in March. They emphasized that the DMV, like VDOT, will not send text messages demanding payment for tolls.

If you receive a text like this, don’t click the link, reply to the message, or provide any personal information. Scammers rely on creating a sense of urgency to make you act without thinking. Instead, delete the text. You can also report it as junk through your messaging app or forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

If you are genuinely concerned about whether you owe tolls, contact VDOT or E-ZPass directly. Use the official website, mobile app, or customer service number listed on their verified sites, not any information provided in a suspicious text message. Stay alert and protect your information from these fraudulent schemes.