Scams to know
Toll road scam texts (Linkt, E-Toll, EastLink)
"Linkt: Our records indicate you have an unpaid toll. To avoid a late fee of $160, pay now." Short, specific and slightly scary - the toll scam text is one of the most reported scams in Australia.
How it works
- A text arrives from a mobile number or an email address, using the name of Linkt, E-Toll, EastLink, Transurban or a state transport agency.
- It claims an unpaid toll - usually a few dollars - and threatens a much bigger late fee or fine.
- The link opens a convincing fake toll website asking for your rego, name and card details.
- Your card is charged far more than the "toll" - or your details are used for other fraud, and a fake "bank" calls you afterwards.
The red flags
- It came out of the blue, often to people who don't use toll roads at all.
- The link isn't the toll operator's real website.
- It came from an ordinary mobile number.
- A tiny amount, a huge penalty, a short deadline.
To check if you really owe a toll, log in to your toll account through the operator's official app or by typing its website address yourself - never through a link in a message. Genuine unpaid toll notices usually arrive by post or in your account, with a reference you can check.
If you paid
Call your bank straight away to block the card and dispute the charge. Expect follow-up scam calls - hang up on anyone who calls about the payment and call your bank back on its official number.
Report it
Report the number on BadCall (choose "Texted me" and paste the message) so the next person is warned, and report it to Scamwatch. Paste any message you're unsure about into the scam text checker.