Beware of the E-ZPass scamming and virus email messages below, which claim that the recipients have not paid their E-ZPass tolls. The email messages were designed to trick the recipients into clicking on a malicious link within it, which will download a virus or Trojan horse on their computers. E-ZPass, a toll agency, has issued an alert, warning persons about the malicious e-mail messages.
The Fake and Malicious E-ZPass Email Messages
From: Collection Agency
Subject: Pay for driving on toll road
E-ZPass Service Center
Dear customer,
You have not paid for driving on a toll road. This invoice is sent repeatedly, please service your debt in the shortest possible time.
The invoice can be downloaded here.
Subject: [Recipient's name or email address], Indebted for driving on toll road #00000973323
Dear [Recipient's name or email address],
You have a unpaid bill for using toll road.
Please, do not forget to service your debt. You can review the invoice in the attachment.
Sincerely,
Thomas Lewis,
E-ZPass Agent.
The file the link will download onto your computer, if you click it, IS NOT an invoice, but Zip or compressed file (invoice.zip), which contains a malicious file that will infect your computer with a virus or Trojan horse.
Once your computer has become infected with this malicious Trojan horse, the cybercriminals behind this email message will be able to access and take control of your computer remotely from anywhere around the world. They may spy on you, use your computer to commit cybercrimes, or steal your personal and financial information.
Now, if you have already clicked on the malicious link, downloaded and installed the malicious file, please do a full scan of your computer with the antivirus software installed on it. The name of the attachment may change, so be careful when opening email attachments.
If you don’t have antivirus software installed on your computer, please click here for a list of free antivirus software.
For a list of other virus email messages, please click here.
E-ZPass has released the following alert:
WARNING – EMAIL PHISHING SCAM
We have recently learned of an email phishing scam which appears to be an attempt to collect unpaid tolls. An example of this email is shown below.
Please be advised that this is not an authorized communication from E-ZPass, the New York State Thruway Authority or any other toll agency associated with E-ZPass.
We advise you not to open or respond to such a message should you receive one.
If you have any questions about the validity of any message received, please contact the E-ZPass New
York Customer Service Center at 800-333-8655.
The fake email messages are similar to the following:
Look out for similar email messages that may have been reworded.