Realistic scam targets Highway 407 ETR drivers in Ontario

A new scam is circulating this week, targeting Highway 407 ETR drivers in Ontario.

The fraudsters, pretending to represent the toll highway, send a text message claiming the recipient has an unpaid balance.

The victim is then instructed to pay the outstanding amount by a specified deadline, with warnings of additional fees and potential suspension of their driver’s licence if the balance owing is unpaid.

A link is then provided with where the payment can be made.

Recipients attempting to verify the message may notice that the link does not match the official website, indicating that the message could be part of a scam.

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) this is an example of a smishing attempt which is a text message variation of phishing.

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Scammers will try to get personal information like bank accounts and Social Insurance Numbers (SIN) to steal money or commit other fraud.

A similar “pay through text” scam circulated in January 2024, prompting Highway 407 ETR to clarify that legitimate payment reminders include a secure webpage link. This latest scam, however, appears more convincing. It closely mimics official reminders that may decieve some into believing it’s legitimate.

People unsure if a message is real should visit http://407etr.com/contactus to verify.

To find out more about fraud and current scams, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.