Mike Parker: Beware ‘smishing’ toll texts
Just Thursday I received three threatening text messages regarding my non-payment of tolls. All came from different email addresses, but instead of coming as emails, the messages were delivered as text messages to my phone.
The message I received said:
“Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Final Notice: Enforcement Penalties Begin on May 30. Our records indicate that you currently have an unpaid traffic violation. Pursuant to Section 15C-16.003 of the U.S. Administrative Code, if payment is not received by May 30, 2025, the following enforcement actions will be taken: 1. Report to the DMV violation database 2. Suspend your vehicle registration starting May 30 3. Suspend driving privileges for 30 days 4. Transfer to a toll booth and charge a 35% service fee 5. You may be prosecuted and your credit score will be affected Pay Now: [fake link deleted]. Please pay immediately before enforcement to avoid license suspension and further legal disputes. (Reply Y and re-open this message to click the link, or copy it to your browser.)”
This message is a complete lie designed to get the reader to click on the “link” to pay off the traffic violation when, in reality, the link is just an attempt to steal your personal information.
The practice is called “smishing” – a combination of SMS text and “phishing.”
The “smishing” message conveys a threatening tone: you will be reported to the DMV violation database, your vehicle registration will be suspended, your driving privileges will be suspended for 30 days, transfer to a toll booth and charged a 35-percent service fee, and face potential prosecution that can affect your credit score.
Each of these threats is a series of lies the perpetrator is using to intimidate you into surrendering your personal information.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation issued a warning about this smishing scene last July. In that warning the NCDOT said:
“The North Carolina Turnpike Authority was alerted that a text message-based scam, also known as smishing, is fraudulently claiming to represent tolling agencies from across the country. The scammers are claiming to represent the tolling agency and requesting payment for unpaid tolls.
“The targeted phone numbers seem to be chosen at random and are not uniquely associated with an account or usage of toll roads.
“NC Quick Pass customers can verify a valid text notification in several ways:
NC Quick Pass will never request payment by text
All links associated with NC Quick Pass will include ncquickpass.com or secure.ncquickpass.com”
The NC Quick Pass issued these guidelines to ensure the validity of text messages. First, NC Quick Pass will never request payment by text. Therefore, if you receive a message demanding payment, you know you are dealing with a liar and crook.
NC Quick Pass only sends texts from a secure short code 696277. The last smishing text message I received came from stacectrixief86@ytin41.com. If the message comes from a number that you do not recognize or has an email address, you are dealing with a crook.
Genuine links from NC Quick Pass will include ncquickpass.com or secure.ncquickpass.com. Even if you receive a text message that uses these links, just remember that NC Quick Pass never requests payment by text.
Sadly, we live in a world where many liars, cheaters, and thieves are busy developing new plans to use technology to confuse, intimidate, and cheat the unsuspecting.
When you receive a “smishing” text, never open the link and delete the text message immediately. Keep yourself and your online information as safe as you can.
Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.
DI: We, therefore, the representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved;
MD: 3. Resolved, That we do hereby declare ourselves a free and independent people, are, and of right ought to be, a sovereign and self–governing Association, under the control of no power other than that of our God and the General Government of the Congress; to the maintenance of which independence, we solemnly pledge to each other, our mutual co-operation, our lives, our fortunes, and our most sacred honor.
DI: And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
The confusion over the legitimacy of the Mecklenburg Declaration may be simply explained because the resolutions of the declaration became part of the Mecklenburg Resolves, adopted on May 31, 1775, and taken to a meeting of the representatives of all the colonies.
While we may argue that our flag should bear the date of May 31, 1775, instead of May 20, 1775, the contention that North Carolina was “First in Freedom” is safe.
Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.
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