Unpaid Toll Text Scam
CONFIRMED THREAT
Fake texts claim unpaid tolls with fines threatened. Real toll agencies send by mail, not text. FBI IC3: 59,271 complaints in 2024.
sms
→1 confirmed active threats
🎣Phishing & Smishing
Phishing is the #1 scam by volume — 193,407 complaints in 2024. While losses ($70M) are lower than other categories, phishing is the gateway to larger fraud. Fake emails/texts impersonate banks, Amazon, Netflix with urgent requests. Includes toll scams (59,271 complaints), delivery scams, and bank alerts.
$70Min reported losses, 2024(IC3)193 407 complaints
3
Patterns Documented
1
Confirmed Threats
2
High Risk
$16.6B
Reported Losses, 2024 (IC3)
Data sourced from FBI IC3 2024 Annual Report. Data reflects complaints submitted to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and may not represent all incidents. ZeroScam is an educational tool and is not affiliated with the FBI.
Filter by Category
Clear filter ×All Patterns (85)₿ Cryptocurrency Scams(4)$6.6B💳 Payment & BEC Scams(9)$2.8B💻 Tech Support Scams(5)$1.5B🔓 Personal Data Breach(2)$1.5B🛒 Online Purchase Scams(5)💔 Romance Scams(3)🏛️ Government Impersonation(6)🏢 Corporate Data Breach(3)💼 Job & Employment Scams(6)🏧 Crypto ATM & Kiosk Scams(3)🥇 Gold Courier Scams(2)🪪 Identity Theft(3)🏠 Rental Scams(2)🔒 Extortion & Blackmail(1)🎰 Prize & Lottery Scams(1)🎣 Phishing & Smishing(3)📦 Delivery & Shipping Scams(4)🎭 Impersonation Scams(4)🤖 AI-Powered Scams(5)📱 Social Media Scams(2)📞 Telemarketing Scams(1)🏥 Healthcare Scams(1)🏦 Financial Service Scams(2)🔧 Service Provider Scams(2)🎗️ Charity Scams(1)🗳️ Election & Civic Scams(2)🧬 Synthetic Identity Fraud(2)🔄 Recovery Scams(1)
Threat Levels
CONFIRMED THREAT— Actively reported to FBI IC3
HIGH RISK— Significant victim reports
EMERGING— Recently identified pattern
Malicious QR Code Scam
HIGH RISK
Scammers place fake QR codes over legitimate ones at parking meters, restaurants, public spaces. Scanning leads to phishing sites.
qr codewebsite
→Fake Medical Billing Text Scam
HIGH RISK
Scammers send fake medical bill notifications impersonating clinics, hospitals, or pediatricians. Links lead to phishing sites that steal payment info.
sms
→Common Questions About Phishing & Smishing
What is smishing?▼
Phishing via SMS text. Fake alerts about packages, tolls, banks with links to credential-stealing sites.
I got a text about unpaid tolls — real?▼
Probably not. Toll agencies bill by mail. FBI reported 59,271 toll scam complaints in 2024. Check your toll account directly.
How do I identify phishing?▼
Check sender address exactly, look for generic greetings and urgency, hover over links to see real URL. Go directly to websites, never click links.
My bank texted about suspicious activity — what do?▼
Don't click. Open your bank's app or call the number on your card. Scammers spoof bank numbers.
📖 How to Use This Database
- ✓Browse patterns to learn scammer tactics before you encounter them
- ✓Share specific pattern pages with family members who may be targeted
- ✓Use our scanner to check suspicious messages against all 85 patterns
- ✓Report scams to FBI IC3 and FTC using links on each pattern page
⚖️ Important Information
This database is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Pattern data is derived from publicly available FBI IC3 reports and ongoing research.
ZeroScam does not guarantee detection of all scams. Always exercise caution and verify independently before sending money or personal information.
Not legal or financial advice. If you have been victimized, contact local law enforcement and file reports with FBI IC3 and FTC.
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73% of Americans report being targeted(Pew Research, 2025 survey)
|$470M reported in text-related fraud(FTC, 2024)
|$16.6B in total reported losses(FBI IC3, 2024)