Fast Track Lane Toll Scam – How the Text Message Scam Works & What Comes Next

The cat is out of the bag. And by now, most of us would have heard of the Fast Track lane tolls scam. Despite the scammers' clear misspelling of the entity name (its FasTrack by the way). What some of us might not know is that toll scams have been an attack vector for scamming even before the days of the internet. For my European counterparts, remember the days when scammers found a way to add their surcharge to the machines at tolling stations? As we can see, scams are not static. By being data driven scammers find increasingly ingenious ways to exploit the same attack vector over and over again. In this post, we break down the most recent toll scam where scammers impersonate FasTrack and provide some insights as to the next scam messages to look out for regarding toll scams.

Understanding the Fast Track Lane Tolls Scam

The Fast Track lane tolls scam is a variety of tolling scam that uses SMS (text message) to impersonate a reputable tolling agency. Scammers rely heavily on impersonating trusted institutions, and in this case, they spoof the name and branding of FasTrak, the legitimate tolling authority. You can find the real organization and its official channels here for comparison. The exact copy (text framing) that the scammers use in these texts differ, but the crux of it is this: that you need to pay for a toll. Here are two examples of the Fast Track lane tolls scam:

How the Fast Track Toll Text Scam Works (Examples Included)

As mentioned above, the wording to this message can differ and scammers often use different angles. Here are the main types of framing that scammers use:

• Threatening

• Reassuring

• Time Sensitive

• Professional / Administrative

What I am saying is that scammers will often alter the tone of their message and try out multiple variations so they can reel in as many people as possible. The reason this is important is because when it comes to scam messages (smishing) the objective is to draw you to action. The methods they employ to do this can differ. But the goal is the same. Therefore, when we think about it. Our best line of defense against smishing is to do the opposite. To do nothing. Inaction. Let me explain why.

Why Doing Nothing Is Your Best Response to Toll Scam Texts

No matter how much scammers alter these messages and change variations. The main thing to keep in mind is that these texts are always administrative in nature. With smishing texts like these, scammers always impersonate a large corporation or a well known government agency. And the point is to make you engage with them in a hasty manner. Now, I don't know about you, but anytime I do administration in a hasty manner, even if it is with a legitimate institution. Something is more likely to go wrong than when I had done the same task calmly. Even when there are no scammers involved. Therefore, you stand nothing to gain when you read a message like this and you act. Even if it was actually from FasTrack. Your best bet is to wait till you get home, eat, rest, get comfortable, and then address your administrative matters with a clear head. Hastily done administration never goes well. So therefore, this is the next mental tool that No Scam would like to provide in this educational series. Which is, to address all administrative messages on your own terms! The scammers send you fake messages and want you to address things on their terms. When you read a message like this, make a mental note that you need to go and check your tolling costs. Decide a time that's appropriate for you to do so, and at that time, use your usual method of dealing with FasTrack. We mentioned this in a previous article that you should always keep your medium of engagement with an institution the same. Log in to the relevant portal, and do all your business and administrative dealings with them there. That is you acting on your own terms.

Where Toll Scams Go From Here

Given that we now understand the Fast Track lane tolls scam the question is how do we defend against future scams. As mentioned in the introduction, scams are not static. This scam will change and it might be insightful for us to think about its next iteration. To do this we will employ an idea mentioned in our Coinbase text scam article. This idea was that scammers exploited the different activities that Coinbase users most do with the platform. The same can be applied here. To know what the next Fast Track lane toll scam will be, we must think about the legitimate reasons why a toll company would text us. It is from there, that the next iteration will come. The idea of sending people messages to pay off unpaid tolls has become too popular and the scammers need their next angle. Here are the main reasons why our toll company would communicate with us through text:

• Payment or Account Notifications

  • Alerting you that your prepaid balance is low or auto-reload has failed

  • Confirming that a payment has been received or processed

  • Warning that your account is suspended or will be if you don’t add funds.

• Toll Violation Notices

  • Notifying you of an unpaid toll or missed payment, with instructions to resolve it.

  • Informing you of a toll violation invoice (though official violations are usually sent by mail or email).

• Account Updates or Verification

  • Confirming a change to your account information, such as a new vehicle plate, phone number, or payment method.

  • Two-factor authentication or identity verification during login or password reset.

• Travel or System Alerts

  • Informing you of temporary closures, system maintenance, or lane outages that affect toll operations.

  • Traffic or toll rate updates (in some regions with dynamic tolling).

• New Program Information or Reminders

  • Reminders to update your transponder or replace an expired device.

  • Notifications about new payment options, discount programs, or policy changes.

As you can see, the scammers can send you a variety of messages. They could impersonate a tolling company and text you that you need to update your two factor authentication via X link. They could message you and say your account is suspended.

They could SMS you to try and alert you about a new “discount program” or “payment option” or “policy change”.

The point is this, they will send you a random message with very clever wording and a topic that you don't expect. With the intention of coaxing you into action. Whenever you receive such a message, make a mental note, go on with your day and deal with this on your terms via the same channels you always use. You can figure out about policy changes in the portal and via a direct call to their customer service. Whichever method you already use will be enough to handle whatever the message needs you to address. The point is to act on your own terms!

How You Can Help Us Track and Understand These Scams

Scams are dynamic and always changing. If we are too have any hope of preventing scams more data must be gathered about the scams that take place. If you have ever been scammed or know someone who has been scammed. Add you story to the No Scam database. These stories help power real time tools for scam advice and scam prevention. Each scam is different and the more we know about these scams the better we can learn from each others experiences.

Summary

• The Fast Track lane tolls scam is a smishing attack where scammers impersonate FasTrack and send text messages claiming you owe a toll or must take urgent action.

• Scammers use multiple message styles — threatening, reassuring, time-sensitive, or administrative — all designed to pressure you into clicking a malicious link.

• The best defense is inaction: avoid responding immediately and handle your toll account only through official channels and on your own terms.

• Future toll scams may mimic legitimate toll agency notifications such as account suspensions, low balance alerts, two-factor authentication requests, new program updates, or policy changes.

• Scammers will continue to change tactics, so remaining calm, cautious, and consistent with how you normally manage your toll account is key.

• You can help strengthen scam prevention by sharing your scam experiences on No Scam, contributing to a growing database that helps others stay safe.

Key Takeaways

• Do not click links in toll-related texts — scammers rely on urgency.

• Treat all toll messages as administrative and handle them later, not immediately.

• Always check your FasTrack account through your usual portal, never through SMS links.

• Scammers may impersonate low balance alerts, account suspensions, 2FA requests, or discount programs.

• Expect evolving variations of this scam — scammers change angles once one becomes common.

• Report suspicious messages and share your experiences to help others avoid emerging scams.

FAQ