Drivers, beware: Your toll payments could be at risk thanks to this new scam!

Toll roads are a part of a driver's life. After all, these roads make trips faster and easier.

However, with the promise of convenience comes scammers that can take advantage of people's needs.

One company warned drivers of a prevalent scam targeting travellers and drivers alike.


Linkt, the toll company servicing roads in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, recently issued a warning: scammers are on the prowl and are targeting toll users.

The scammers' tactics are cunning and deceptive: they send out SMS messages pretending to be from Linkt, claiming that toll payments are overdue and urging recipients to click on a link to make a payment or verify an unpaid bill.

These messages often include threats of fines, penalties, or fees if immediate payment isn't made.


compressed-pexels-sora-shimazaki-5935791.jpeg
Scammers have targeted toll users in a new elaborate scam. Image Credit: Pexels/Sora Shimazaki


However, these messages are not from Linkt or its parent firm, Transurban.

If you receive such a message, do not click on any links, call the number provided, or respond to the sender.


In response to this alarming rise in scams, Linkt advised users to be vigilant.

They recommended to avoid clicking on links in SMS messages, avoiding providing personal or financial information through email or SMS, and immediately changing passwords for security purposes.

If you receive a suspicious text or email, report it immediately by contacting Linkt here.

Since the Linkt brand became a target for scammers in 2021, Transurban has logged over 470,000 scam reports, highlighting the scale of this issue.

Linkt will never ask you to pay via an SMS link.

Always log in through the Linkt app (available on iOS or Android) or their official website to manage your account and check for any outstanding tolls.


Since 2021, Linkt has blocked over 38,000 unique numbers linked to scam attempts—with 10,000 of those identified this year alone.

Additionally, they've shut down 2,200 fake URLs that were part of these deceitful schemes.

Chris Jackson, General Manager of Customer Experience at Transurban, has emphasised the importance of reporting these scams.

'Reporting a scam is fast, easy, and our best defence against hackers. Every report is valuable,' he said.

'Even if you are not fooled, reporting a scam helps us protect more vulnerable community members.'


This warning is part of a broader concern as Victoria Police and other authorities continue to caution the public against cybercrime.

Courier Australia Post was hit by similar scams, with customers receiving text messages demanding fees for processing deliveries.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reported over $2.7 billion in losses to scams alone.

Investment scams, remote access swindles, and romance cons are among the many prevalent scams affecting Aussies' lives and wallets.

You may report any cases of scams on the Scamwatch website.

The SDC Forum’s Scam Watch section also has updates and tips on how to combat prevalent scams.
Key Takeaways

  • Linkt, the Australian road toll service, warned users about a significant rise in scam attempts.
  • Linkt's parent company, Transurban, blocked thousands of scam numbers and fake links since 2021.
  • Users are advised to be vigilant by not clicking on links in unexpected SMS messages and reporting any fraudulent contact through official channels.
  • Despite a reduction in overall scam losses in Australia, there is a concerning trend of rising financial losses to certain scams.
Have you or someone you know encountered the Linkt scam message? What measures are you taking to safeguard your personal information? Share your experiences and tips with us in the comments below.
 
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I get them all the time at least twice a week even though I live in SA and we don't have any toll roads in this state I drove on a toll road in August last year and they haven't let up since I report them and Block them but it doesn't seem to stop them.
 
I get the fake Victorian Toll overdue notices by TEXT at least 4 or 5 times per week!
The link looks quite authentic so I'm sure many unsuspecting readers just go to the quoted site and pay when the money does not even go to Tollway account of Linkt.
All I can do is frequently check the AUTHENTIC website account statistics to verify that I have no overdue debt.
That's not something to skip folks. Take the extra 5 minutes to double check your account. Anyway, you'll receive a letter if you have a REAL debt. Rest assured about that.

I heartily recommend that any readers here ALWAYS call the company or go online to the relevant internet site and check their accounts to make sure there is no money owing . Use an incognito web browser too.

This applies to ALL calls, emails and texts that we get stating that some sort of FINANCIAL transaction or PERSONAL Details are involved. Be wary.
All I can do regarding these texts is block the number then REPORT as SPAM and delete link in the text options.

These texts are happening on my very secure iPhone and via Telstra.

*** For the record. 2 years ago I was scammed out of $250 US = $360 Australian over a "bitcoin" share investment that went straight to scammers and not to the FAKE Sharebroker/Stockbroker. My $ disappeared immediately and bank could not trace or do anything. These people ADVERTISED on NINEMSN Daily News.
1. A Fake advert masquerading as a JOURNALIST"S ARTICLE about a great new profitable bitcoin company was the bait.
2. A website was referenced as the company to manage and inform potential investors.
3. At the website a Form asking for my name and phone number was onscreen
4. I then received a call ("from Darwin") and a very charming patient and reassuring AUSTRALIAN accented conman chatted me up for 1/2 hour before I eventually made the minimum deposit.

Of course the voice could have been altered by computer or AI to "sound Aussie" in the same way internet phone numbers can be bought for a few dollars and any country in the world can be nominated as the ORIGIN of the phone number!
So, don't do what I did = I trusted this person because the voice was "Aussie" and was "located in Darwin". Silly me. This caller was outstandingly pleasant and extremely reassuring. I told him I was a disabled old lady with cancer and to please not let me be robbed as I'm only on the disability pension, so every cent counts. HE STILL ROBBED ME! Absolutely no scruples!!!!

As soon as I wrote credit card details my webpage changed and I was taken to a basically empty page! I tried to click "back' in browser but the website was so well scripted and coded that "back" and refresh both delivered a blank orange page.
I had been told $250 deposit as minimum investment. Turns out it was $250 US.
I panicked - tried dialing back this Australia accented person from "Darwin" on the phone - blocked.
Checked the "article" and found a teeny word "advert in bottom left screen. Checked bank => $360 gone. Called bank +> said they would try but chanced poor.

I'd HATE this to happen to anyone else.

We Seniors were raised in a SAFE culture where TRUST and HONESTY was Standard and so we still have our childhood Standards of honesty, trustworthiness and reliability etc. We Seniors are great people, however others are not so dependable.

BUT the world has changed. We have to accept that we CANNOT TRUST ANYONE except close contacts, and even then some of those are imperfect + can cause financial pain.

GOOD LUCK .
 
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Reactions: Jo Piper3 and DLHM
The safest and best way not to get anymore scams would be to have freeways or tollfree motorways
Anyone want to suggest this to the govts oof each state?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Annna and Rob44
Get these on a regular basis, but since I live in WA, we don't have to always, I know it's a scam and block and delete.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Annna
I get the fake Victorian Toll overdue notices by TEXT at least 4 or 5 times per week!
The link looks quite authentic so I'm sure many unsuspecting readers just go to the quoted site and pay when the money does not even go to Tollway account of Linkt.
All I can do is frequently check the AUTHENTIC website account statistics to verify that I have no overdue debt.
That's not something to skip folks. Take the extra 5 minutes to double check your account. Anyway, you'll receive a letter if you have a REAL debt. Rest assured about that.

I heartily recommend that any readers here ALWAYS call the company or go online to the relevant internet site and check their accounts to make sure there is no money owing . Use an incognito web browser too.

This applies to ALL calls, emails and texts that we get stating that some sort of FINANCIAL transaction or PERSONAL Details are involved. Be wary.
All I can do regarding these texts is block the number then REPORT as SPAM and delete link in the text options.

These texts are happening on my very secure iPhone and via Telstra.

*** For the record. 2 years ago I was scammed out of $250 US = $360 Australian over a "bitcoin" share investment that went straight to scammers and not to the FAKE Sharebroker/Stockbroker. My $ disappeared immediately and bank could not trace or do anything. These people ADVERTISED on NINEMSN Daily News.
1. A Fake advert masquerading as a JOURNALIST"S ARTICLE about a great new profitable bitcoin company was the bait.
2. A website was referenced as the company to manage and inform potential investors.
3. At the website a Form asking for my name and phone number was onscreen
4. I then received a call ("from Darwin") and a very charming patient and reassuring AUSTRALIAN accented conman chatted me up for 1/2 hour before I eventually made the minimum deposit.

Of course the voice could have been altered by computer or AI to "sound Aussie" in the same way internet phone numbers can be bought for a few dollars and any country in the world can be nominated as the ORIGIN of the phone number!
So, don't do what I did = I trusted this person because the voice was "Aussie" and was "located in Darwin". Silly me. This caller was outstandingly pleasant and extremely reassuring. I told him I was a disabled old lady with cancer and to please not let me be robbed as I'm only on the disability pension, so every cent counts. HE STILL ROBBED ME! Absolutely no scruples!!!!

As soon as I wrote credit card details my webpage changed and I was taken to a basically empty page! I tried to click "back' in browser but the website was so well scripted and coded that "back" and refresh both delivered a blank orange page.
I had been told $250 deposit as minimum investment. Turns out it was $250 US.
I panicked - tried dialing back this Australia accented person from "Darwin" on the phone - blocked.
Checked the "article" and found a teeny word "advert in bottom left screen. Checked bank => $360 gone. Called bank +> said they would try but chanced poor.

I'd HATE this to happen to anyone else.

We Seniors were raised in a SAFE culture where TRUST and HONESTY was Standard and so we still have our childhood Standards of honesty, trustworthiness and reliability etc. We Seniors are great people, however others are not so dependable.

BUT the world has changed. We have to accept that we CANNOT TRUST ANYONE except close contacts, and even then some of those are imperfect + can cause financial pain.

GOOD LUCK .
We seniors were raised in a world where we paid by cash or cheque from or cheque-book and it worked very well. It seems that shortly after my wife visited the local clinic HostDoc sent three crazy emails to her mobile phone, one demanding that that she pay for her next appointment in advance or the booking would be cancelled. That we treated as a scam, but have yet to get back to the clinic. If that scammer has infiltrated a major clinic, there lies a problem.
 
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Why cant people stop using the wrong words. Loss THANKS to this scam should be DUE. How about this The man died THANKS to his crashing into a tree. try DUE instead. too many words are hijacked.
if "Thanks" is being used ironically, then it has its place in that sentence. Cant differs in meaning from cannot as shortened to can't.
 
Why cant people stop using the wrong words. Loss THANKS to this scam should be DUE. How about this The man died THANKS to his crashing into a tree. try DUE instead. too many words are hijacked.
My pet hate at the moment is "How are we"? - My response - I'm well but I don't know about you!
 
I get them all the time at least twice a week even though I live in SA and we don't have any toll roads in this state I drove on a toll road in August last year and they haven't let up since I report them and Block them but it doesn't seem to stop them.
yep, same for me - also in SA.
 
Had a few of these in Tasmania, seems like the scammers are taking pot luck in the case of someone having travelled to the 'mainland' as we call it in Tas.
Quite a few people I know have also had the same but not clicked on anything.

The scamming everywhere is so bad I don't respond to anything unless I "search' the issue and speak to someone not connected in anyway to any sent messages. Very tricky though.
 
Had a few of these in Tasmania, seems like the scammers are taking pot luck in the case of someone having travelled to the 'mainland' as we call it in Tas.
Quite a few people I know have also had the same but not clicked on anything.

The scamming everywhere is so bad I don't respond to anything unless I "search' the issue and speak to someone not connected in anyway to any sent messages. Very tricky though.
SA doesn't have tools -. not all of mainland have them.
 

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