Welcome to Talkin’ Tech With Don, a new monthly column from NewsPlus created to help Tri-Community residents make sense of the technology shaping our daily lives. Each month, I’ll break down a tech-related topic that’s timely and relevant—like spotting online scams, managing smartphone privacy, understanding new tools, or navigating digital services more confidently. You don’t need to be a tech expert to stay safe, informed, and connected. We’ll walk through it together, one topic at a time.
Don’t Click That Toll Text: Smishing Scams Are Hitting the High Desert
Last week, I received a text message saying I owed $6.99 in unpaid toll road charges. It included a link and warned that failure to pay could result in late fees. It looked legitimate enough. I thought to myself, Well, I did just drive down to Ontario to pick up this month’s NewsPlus from the printer. Maybe there was a new toll road on the I-15 I didn’t know about.
Toll lanes do start a couple of miles from where I exit the freeway. It must be a mistake, because I wouldn’t have gotten into a toll lane to get where I was going. This must be a scam, I thought. But how can I be sure?
These scam texts are part of a growing trend called smishing, and they’re starting to show up across the Inland Empire.
Tech Term of the Month: Smishing
Smishing is short for SMS phishing and occurs when scammers send fake text messages that try to trick you into clicking a link, sharing personal information, or downloading malicious software. These messages often look official, mimicking agencies like Caltrans, banks, delivery services or toll operators.
The fake toll road version is especially sneaky: the charge is small enough to seem harmless, and the language feels urgent—like “immediate payment required.” Smishing is a form of phishing, which more commonly uses email instead of text messages.
What’s The Big Deal
Toll roads are uncommon in our area and that’s exactly why this scam works. Scammers count on confusion or fear to get people to click quickly. The messages feel urgent and bureaucratic, which can rattle even the most cautious person.
People in rural areas like ours also tend to rely more on text messaging than apps or emails, especially when internet access is limited. That makes smishing even more effective in places like Phelan, Piñon Hills, and Wrightwood. Seniors, in particular, are frequent targets, as scammers use pressure and impersonation to catch people off guard.
How to Spot the Scam
At first glance, the text message I received looked normal. But with a trained eye, you’ll start spotting several red flags.
The first line of the text began with “EzDriveMA Alert:,” this references a Massachusetts toll payment agency. That’s your first red flag. Toll collection in the Inland Empire is handled by FasTrak, not EZDriveMA.
Here’s the text I received:
Massachussetts. Photo credit: Don Fish Jr.
The second red flag is the urgency: “Avoid excessive late fees!” The next flag, and it’s a big flag, is the link or URL that the text is asking me to make a payment at. Can you spot anything out of the ordinary with this URL:
https://ezdrivema.com-aswqo.top/pay?
URL 101: How to Spot a Bogus Link
Scam messages often use fake website addresses, called URLs, designed to trick you. A proper URL has distinct sections to it, like how a phone number must be formatted correctly to work.
At first glance, the link appears to be from the real EZDriveMA website. But this is a trick. Scammers insert a familiar name like “ezdrivema.com” at the beginning of a fake web address to make it look real. In reality, the actual domain is:
com-aswqo.top
This is not related to EZDriveMA. The legitimate site is:
https://www.ezdrivema.com
If a link includes odd endings like .top, .xyz, .click or looks like a mash-up of real and fake parts, it’s probably a scam.
More Scam Red Flags
Another clue: check who sent the message. Real toll agencies will use a clearly labeled contact or short code, not a random 10-digit number or unrecognized email.
In this case, the message came from: [email protected]. That’s another big red flag. A real message would come from something like [email protected].
These scams are meant to create panic. That’s why it’s so important to slow down and think before clicking. Even links that start with “https” can lead to malicious sites. If in doubt, don’t click. Instead, visit the agency’s website directly by typing it into your browser.
How to Protect Yourself
Here are five simple steps to stay safe:
1. Learn to spot a bogus URL. If it looks fishy, don’t click or visit the site.
2. Don’t click on links in unexpected texts. Go directly to the agency’s website if you’re unsure.
3. Check the sender’s number. Scam messages often come from unfamiliar or international numbers—or strange email addresses.
4. Report the message.
• iPhone: Tap the message. If the sender isn’t in your contacts, a “Report Junk” link will appear at the bottom.
• Android: Open Messages, press and hold the conversation, then tap Block > Report spam > OK.
• You can also forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) to report them to your carrier.
5. Warn others. Share what you’ve learned with friends and neighbors.
What Toll Agencies Say
Real tolling agencies don’t ask for payments by text.
FasTrak and other Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), which operate toll roads in San Bernardino County and elswere in California, state that they only notify drivers through official mail or verified apps. On the FasTrak website, they warn:
“Important Customer Advisory Regarding Nationwide Text Phishing Scam: California toll operators are advising drivers to disregard phishing texts being sent to their phones that detail a specific outstanding toll amount. If you receive a text and are unsure, please visit the website of the tolling agency in the region you travel. To view tolling agencies in California, visit Tolling in CA – FasTrak throughout California.”
“If you receive a phishing text, do not click the link. Please file a complaint at www.ic3.gov. This site shares information on internet crimes with law enforcement agencies.”
To sum it up
If the message feels urgent, includes a suspicious link, or asks for payment—it’s likely a scam. When in doubt, delete it and contact the agency directly using a trusted website or phone number. That’s it for this inaugural column of talkin’ tech. Until next time, think before you click!
Got a Tech Question?
Big or small, I’d love to hear it. Email [email protected] with the subject line “Talkin’ Tech,” and we might feature your question in an upcoming column.
