BEREA, Ohio — The text might look legitimate, the dollar amount realistic, and the link even takes you to a very real-looking website.
But Charles Cyrill with the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission said if you get a text asking you to pay unpaid toll invoices, ignore it.
It's just one example of a new scam spreading across the Buckeye State and they said texting is one method of communication they will never use.
"Collections of tolls and toll violations do not occur by text," Cyrill said.
While they don't know how many people have been affected, Cyrill said they're working to spread the word as quickly as possible to try and minimize the damage as much as they can.
"I'm getting calls from citizens, customers who are calling me directly saying, 'Hey, I'm getting these fraudulent texts again,'" Cyrill said.
Notice he said "again."
This is now the second time this year they've seen scams like these. They first saw them back in April and have been working with the FBI and the Ohio State Highway Patrol to try to put a stop to them. But as it goes with hackers, tracing the crime to the criminal is easier said than done.
"I am not aware if they were able to track anyone down on this," Cyrill said.
But is it actually even possible to miss a toll?
Most of the time they're pretty much impossible to miss, but with the Turnpike's new modernized system, there are actually four different places across the state where drivers without an EZ Pass need to get off the turnpike to pay and then get back on the turnpike to continue your drive.
But if you were to just keep driving, it is possible to be billed but Cyrill said there's only one way they'll bill you. It's the same one they've been using for decades.
"Currently, our customers will receive a bill in the U.S. mail," Cyrill said.
If you have received an invoice and you're concerned about its legitimacy, Cyrill said you can call the Ohio Turnpike Commission's customer service line at 440-971-2222.