A Maryland E-ZPass scam alert has been issued by transportation officials after a sharp rise in fake toll text messages targeting drivers across the state. These scam texts claim you owe unpaid tolls and demand quick payment through suspicious links. Knowing how these scams work protects your money, your bank account, and your personal data.
What Is the Maryland E-ZPass Scam Alert?
The Maryland EZ Pass scam alert is a public warning from the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) about fake text messages pretending to come from EZ Pass. Scammers send these texts to trick drivers into clicking bad links or paying money that they do not actually owe.
The MDTA runs Maryland’s toll roads and bridges. The agency uses EZ Pass for electronic toll payments. Scammers copy the EZ-Pass name to make their fake messages look real. They send texts saying you have an unpaid toll or a deactivated transponder.
Many drivers have received these texts in recent months. Reports have come from across Maryland, including Baltimore, Annapolis, Frederick, and the Eastern Shore. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the FBI have also tracked similar toll scams in many other states.
How the Maryland Toll Scam Text Works
The Maryland toll scam text uses a method called smishing. Smishing means SMS phishing. Scammers send text messages that look like real alerts from a company you trust. The goal is to steal your personal or financial information.
Here is how the scam usually works:
- You get a text claiming you owe a small toll, often between $3 and $8.
- The text says you must pay right away or face a large fine.
- A link is included that looks like it leads to the EZ-Pass website.
- Clicking the link takes you to a fake site that looks real.
- The fake site asks for your credit card number, login details, or Social Security number.
Once scammers get your data, they can drain your bank account, open credit cards in your name, or sell your data on the dark web. Some fake sites also install malware on your phone, which tracks everything you do online.
Signs of an E-ZPass Phishing Text
An EZPass phishing text in Maryland has clear warning signs. Learning these signs helps you stop the scam before it causes harm.
| Warning Sign | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|
| Urgent tone | “Pay now or face a $50 fine within 24 hours” |
| Small unpaid toll amount | Charges like $3.95, $6.49, or $7.12 |
| Suspicious link | URLs not ending in ezpassmd.com |
| Generic greeting | “Dear Customer” with no name |
| Unknown sender | Random phone number or short code |
The real Maryland EZPass system does not send unpaid toll notices by text message. All official toll bills come by mail through the U.S. Postal Service. If you get a text about a toll, it is almost always fake.
Real Examples of Maryland E-ZPass Scam Messages
Many drivers have shared examples of Maryland EZPass scam messages online. These real samples help you learn what to watch for.
Example 1: “MDTA Notice: You have an unpaid toll of $4.95. To avoid a $50 late fee, pay now at md-ezpass-bill.net. Reply STOP to opt out.”
Example 2: “E-ZPass Maryland Alert: Your vehicle has a pending toll violation. Click ezpassmd-billing.com to clear your account.”
Example 3: “Maryland toll authority: Your transponder is blocked due to missed payment. Visit ezpass-pay-md.org to fix this issue.”
None of these links belong to the real E-ZPass Maryland website. The real site is only ezpassmd.com. Any other domain name is a scam.
What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Text
If you receive a suspicious toll text, follow these steps right away:
- Do not click any links in the message.
- Do not reply to the text, even if it says “reply STOP.”
- Take a screenshot of the text for your records.
- Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) to report it to your mobile carrier.
- Delete the text from your phone.
- Block the phone number that sent the message.
- Check your real EZ Pass account by logging in directly at the official site.
Acting fast protects your phone and your data. The longer a scam text stays on your phone, the higher the chance someone in your home might click it by mistake.
Steps to Take If You Clicked the Link
If you already clicked the link or entered payment information, you still have time to limit the damage. Take these steps right away:
- Call your bank or credit card company and report the charge as fraud.
- Freeze your credit with all three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- Change your EZPass account password using a strong new password.
- Update passwords for any account that uses the same email or password.
- Run a security scan on your phone to check for malware.
- File a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- Contact the MDTA customer service line at 1-888-321-6824 to confirm your account status.
Speed matters. The sooner you report the fraud, the better your chance of stopping further charges. Banks and credit card companies often refund money lost to phishing scams when reported within 48 hours.
How to Verify a Legitimate E-ZPass Communication
Legitimate EZPass communications in Maryland follow strict rules. Knowing these rules stops you from getting tricked.
The real EZ-Pass Maryland office only contacts customers through these channels:
- Official website: ezpassmd.com
- Mail sent to your home address on file
- Phone calls from 1-888-321-6824
- Email from addresses ending in @ezpassmd.com
Real E-ZPass messages will never:
- Demand payment through a text link
- Threaten arrest or license suspension for unpaid tolls
- Ask for your full Social Security number by text or email
- Use gift cards or wire transfers for payment
When in doubt, log in to your EZPass account directly by typing ezpassmd.com into your browser. Never click links in texts or emails to reach your account.
How to Report the Maryland E-ZPass Scam
Reporting the Maryland E-ZPass scam helps stop scammers and protects other drivers. You can report these scams through several official channels.
| Where to Report | How to Contact |
|---|---|
| Mobile Carrier (report smishing) | Forward text to 7726 |
| FTC (Federal Trade Commission) | reportfraud.ftc.gov |
| FCC (Federal Communications Commission) | consumercomplaints.fcc.gov |
| Maryland Attorney General | oag.state.md.us or 410-528-8662 |
| MDTA E-ZPass Customer Service | 1-888-321-6824 |
| Maryland State Police | Contact local barracks for fraud reports |
Each report adds data that helps law enforcement track scam operations. Large-scale reporting has helped shut down many toll scam networks in past years.
Maryland Department of Transportation and E-ZPass Official Contact
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) oversees the MDTA, which runs E-ZPass Maryland. Drivers who need to verify real toll charges or check account status should use these official contact methods.
Official Website: ezpassmd.com
Customer Service Phone: 1-888-321-6824
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Saturday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Mailing Address: EZPass Maryland, P.O. Box 17600, Baltimore, MD 21297
For in-person help, visit the E-ZPass Maryland Customer Service Center located at 2310 Broening Highway, Baltimore, MD 21224. Use the official contact details above to confirm any toll question and avoid scam traps.
Maryland E-ZPass Scam Alert FAQs
The following questions cover the most common concerns about the Maryland E-ZPass scam alert, how smishing texts target drivers, what real E-ZPass notices look like, and the safest steps to take if a scam message reaches your phone.
Does E-ZPass Maryland ever send text messages about unpaid tolls?
No. EZ-Pass Maryland does not send text messages about unpaid tolls. All unpaid toll notices are sent by mail through the U.S. Postal Service. If you receive a text claiming to be from EZPass Maryland demanding payment, it is a scam. The MDTA has confirmed that text-based toll notices are not part of their system. Drivers should only respond to toll notices received through the mail or by logging into their official account at ezpassmd.com.
What happens if I paid the fake toll through the scam link?
If you paid money through a scam link, contact your bank or credit card company right away. Report the charge as fraud and request a chargeback. File a police report and submit a complaint at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Change any passwords you entered on the fake site. Monitor your bank statements for the next 90 days for any unusual activity. Most banks refund money lost to phishing scams when reported quickly.
Can scammers steal my identity through a toll text?
Yes. Toll scam texts can lead to identity theft if you enter personal data on a fake site. Scammers collect names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and credit card details. With this data, they can open credit accounts, file fake tax returns, or take out loans in your name. If you entered sensitive data, place a free fraud alert with one of the three credit bureaus and consider a credit freeze to block new accounts.
How do I know if my E-ZPass account really has an unpaid toll?
Check your E-ZPass account by typing ezpassmd.com into your browser and logging in. You can also call customer service at 1-888-321-6824 during business hours. The official system will show any unpaid tolls on your account. Real notices arrive by mail at the address on file. Never trust a text message as proof of an unpaid toll.
Are Maryland toll scams worse in certain parts of the state?
Scam texts reach cell phones based on area code, not location. Drivers across Maryland, including Baltimore City, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and the Eastern Shore, have reported receiving these scam messages. Anyone with a Maryland phone number can be targeted, even if they never use E-ZPass. Scammers send messages in bulk to thousands of numbers at once.
What should I do if I keep getting scam toll texts every week?
Block each scam number as you receive the text. Report each message to 7726 (SPAM). File reports with the FTC and FCC to help track the source. Check whether your phone number is exposed on data broker websites and request removal. Use your carrier’s spam-blocking tools or a third-party spam filter app. Keeping your number private online reduces the number of scam texts you receive.
Is there a way to stop scam texts before they reach my phone?
Most major carriers offer free spam-filtering tools that block known scam messages before they reach you. Examples include AT&T Call Protect, Verizon Call Filter, and T-Mobile Scam Shield. You can also register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry, which reduces telemarketing texts. Apps like Hiya or Truecaller add another layer of scam detection. None of these tools stop every scam, but they greatly reduce the number you see.