Scam Alert: Fake Toll / Imposter “Unpaid Toll” Notices in Michigan

As we move into the busy months ahead, Michigan residents should be especially alert for imposter scams—in particular, fake toll or government-related notices that demand payment. 

These scams often pick up around this time of year when people are more distracted and may click or pay quickly to avoid supposed penalties. One recent example: texts or emails claiming to be from MDOT (Michigan Department of Transportation) demanding immediate payment for tolls, even though Michigan has no toll roads.

How to Spot the Fake Toll Scam

Here are common red flags:

  • Demand for immediate payment via odd methods (e.g. gift cards, pre-paid cards, or payment through unsecure links). Real government entities will not ask for payment through gift cards.

  • Threatening language—they’ll warn that your license will be suspended, or you’ll face fines or legal consequences if you don’t pay right away.

  • Unsolicited contact—you weren’t expecting the notice; it comes out of the blue.

  • Suspicious links or email addresses that mimic official sites but are slightly off (spelling mistakes, odd domain names).

  • Requests for personal or financial info (SSN, bank info) or asking you to click on attachments. Real government communications usually direct you to verify details via known official channels.

What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Targeted or Victimized

If you believe you’ve received or responded to one of these scams, here are steps to protect yourself:

  1. Don’t respond or pay anything until you’ve verified that the request is legitimate.

  2. Contact the real agency directly using a phone number or website you trust (not the number or link from the message). For example, MDOT has made statements clarifying that they will never send texts demanding toll payments. 

 

  1. Check your bank/card accounts for any unauthorized transactions. If you used your card, alert your bank or credit union immediately.

  2. Report the incident:

    • To your local law enforcement or police department.

    • To the Michigan Attorney General’s office or Consumer Protection Division.

    • Via state tools such as Michigan Identity Theft Support (MITS). Michigan.gov

    • Also report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through their site IdentityTheft.gov.

  3. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports with all three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax). Monitor your credit reports for any new or suspicious activity.

  4. Keep records of all messages, notices, or conversations that happened. Having documentation helps if you need to dispute charges or identify what info was compromised.

Staying alert and verifying everything can go a long way toward avoiding becoming a victim of a scam.