KIDDER TOWNSHIP -- There's a new email "phishing" scam going around and it's targeting E-ZPass customers.
Pennsylvania Turnpike officials say an email tells people they owe money to E-ZPass. Once they click the link to pay, their computer is infected with a virus.
For drivers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, more and more are opting for the convenience of using E-ZPass, the electronic device that pays tolls with no cash exchange.
“E-ZPass is a great thing,” said Jim Della Croce from Saylorsburg.
But now Turnpike officials are warning both customers and non-customers about a new email phishing scam targeting E-ZPass users.
The email tells people they owe toll money and to fix the problem they should click on the included link; that link then sends a virus to the computer.
Officials say the email uses the E-ZPass logo and appears legitimate.
Della Croce says he received that email and agrees it did look real; fortunately he heard about the scam.
“I actually would have opened that in a second, it really looked legitimate, but I did know about it from my bookkeeper so I was cautious and I was able to pick up on it but I certainly would have popped it right open,” said Della Croce.
The Turnpike says it never contact E-ZPass customers by email, only by letter.
“I know they send you a letter if for some reason your transponder doesn't pay the toll, they`'ll send you a letter and you write back yes, I have an E-ZPass,” said Rosalie Ott.
People say the best rule of thumb in protecting yourself against cybercrimes is to not open any email you're not totally sure of.
“But the scammers they figure out anyway they can to get money off you,” said Charles Wheeler.
“Well I never click on anything I know I shouldn't, I'm very cautious that way,” said Ott.
E-ZPass says the Cybercrimes Division of the FBI is aware of the scam.
If you receive the email, E-ZPass asks that you report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. That website can be found by clicking the link: Internet Crime Complaint Center.