If you recently received a text message claiming to be your "FINAL NOTICE" from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) about unpaid tolls, you're not alone.
These types of scams are making the rounds across Florida, targeting drivers with fear-inducing threats of fines, legal action, and vehicle impoundment.
Here’s the full message:
Florida Department of Transportation – FINAL NOTICE
This is your FINAL official notice from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) regarding an unpaid toll associated with your vehicle.
You must pay the outstanding balance within 24 hours using the link below. Failure to pay by the deadline will result in immediate penalties, including:
• Substantial fines and escalating late fees
• Suspension of your vehicle registration through the Florida DHSMV
• Possible vehicle impoundment
• Legal action, which may include court proceedings, significant financial penalties, and potential wage garnishmentThis is your LAST WARNING—take action now to avoid severe consequences!
[Pay Now] (websitelink)
If the link does not work, reply “Y” to receive a new link or copy and paste it into your browser. No further notices will be sent.
Why This Is a Scam
Let’s break it down:
1. FDOT and SunPass Don’t Send Threatening Texts
Florida's Department of Transportation and SunPass (the official toll collection system) do not send legal threats or final notices via SMS with payment links. Official communication is typically sent by mail or through secure accounts on SunPass.com — not from random phone numbers and sketchy URLs.
2. Suspicious URL
The link in the message is a major red flag. It mimics the real SunPass domain but adds extra words and uses a suspicious foreign domain (.world). This is called domain spoofing, a tactic used by cybercriminals to trick users into thinking they're on a legitimate site.
If you click it, the fake website may:
- Steal your credit card or banking info
- Install malware or spyware on your phone
- Collect your personal information (like your license plate or driver's license number)
3. Scare Tactics and Urgency
Threats like:
- "Wage garnishment"
- "Vehicle impoundment"
- "Legal action in 24 hours"
…are classic scam language. Scammers know that fear causes panic. By pressuring you to act immediately, they hope you'll pay before thinking it through or verifying.
4. Replying Makes Things Worse
Don’t reply with “Y” or anything else. Doing so tells scammers:
- Your number is active
- You are potentially gullible
- You can be targeted again
What To Do Instead
- Don’t click the link. Never click links in unsolicited messages.
- Don’t reply. Block the number instead.
- Report the scam to the Florida Department of Transportation and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Verify toll violations by logging in directly to your SunPass account or calling SunPass customer service at 1-888-TOLL-FLA (1-888-865-5352).
How to Protect Yourself From Similar Scams
- Bookmark official websites like SunPass.com or FLHSMV.gov.
- Enable spam filtering on your phone or use call/text filtering apps.
- Use 2-factor authentication on your online accounts.
- Check URLs carefully. Legit domains don’t have extra hyphens, misspellings, or strange extensions.
Final Word
These scams are designed to look real—and the criminals behind them are getting more sophisticated. But with a few simple checks, you can protect yourself and your wallet. Always think before you click, and when in doubt, go directly to the source.
If you've received this scam text, don’t panic—just delete it, report it, and help spread the word to protect others.