Some Oklahoma Plate Pay users have received text messages warning that they have unpaid balances. Oklahoma Turnpike Authority officials says such messages are scams. (Photo illustration by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice)
OKLAHOMA CITY – Scammers are trying to get into the wallets of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority customers.
Many people have been receiving text messages indicating they owe tolls. The messages ask them to click on a link to get more details.
“This has been a nationwide issue starting in April,” said Lisa Shearer-Salim, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority spokesperson. “This scam has hit multiple tolling authorities, including OTA.”
The scam has gotten more sophisticated in the last two weeks, she said.
Text messages are sent leading to websites that closely mimic the agency’s, she said.
The agency is going cashless and recently added PlatePay. Cameras take a picture of the license plate. Toll bills are sent to the person who holds the registration.
The agency for decades has also used PikePass, where tolls are deducted from a prepaid account. Tolls are cheaper with a PikePass account than they are for those who use PlatePay.