Wilmington Police warns residents of text message-based toll scam

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Police Department warns residents to be cautious about a text message-based scam.

It is known as smishing and it involves scammers who fraudulently say they’re with a tolling agency across the country, requesting payment for unpaid tolls.

The messages can be sent to your phone from another number or email address.

Lieutenant Greg Willett is a spokesperson for the Wilmington Police Department.

If you get one of these texts, he said it’s best just to ignore and delete it.

“A little bit of skepticism pays off,” Willett said. “If you didn’t initiate something, that should be a red flag. You know, especially if it’s something financial. If you didn’t contact somebody or you didn’t order something, that’s a red flag if somebody is reaching out to you.”

Officials with the North Carolina Turnpike Authority say NC Quick-Pass will never request payment by text.