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Is that unpaid NC toll text a scam?

Last updated · Written by Daniel Morton, Scam, Fraud & Prevention Consultant, Winston-Salem, NC

Short answer: If it asks you to pay through a link, yes. NC Quick Pass never asks for payment by text, and North Carolina's Attorney General and the NC Turnpike Authority say these toll texts are sent at random, so you can get one even if you've never driven on a toll road.

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How it works

A text says you owe a small unpaid toll and will be charged a late fee, or lose your license or registration, if you don't pay through a link. WXII reported in March that the NC Department of Justice was warning about a newer version claiming an unpaid parking or toll violation.

Red flags

  • The text didn't come from 696277, the only short number NC Quick Pass sends texts from
  • It asks for payment by text. NC Quick Pass never does.
  • The link doesn't contain ncquickpass.com
  • It threatens legal action or says you'll lose your license over an unpaid toll. According to the state, NC Quick Pass won't do that, and you won't lose your license for one.

What to do

  1. Don't tap the link or reply, not even "STOP" or "Y."
  2. To check whether you really owe anything, type ncquickpass.com into your browser yourself, or call NC Quick Pass at 877-769-7277.
  3. If the text names a toll agency in another state, look up that agency's number on its own website.
  4. Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM), then delete it.

If you already responded

It happens to careful people every day. Call the number on the back of your bank or credit card to tell them, and ask about disputing the charge. Keep an eye on your statements for charges you don't recognize. You can also report it to the NC Department of Justice at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

Who to call in North Carolina

  • NC Quick Pass: 877-769-7277 or type ncquickpass.com yourself
  • NC Department of Justice consumer hotline: 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226), or file a consumer complaint
  • Forward scam texts to 7726 (spells "SPAM") so your phone company can block similar messages.
  • Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov
  • AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline (free for anyone, member or not): 877-908-3360

Common questions

Does NC Quick Pass ask for payment by text?
No. NC Quick Pass never asks for payment by text. It only sends texts from the short number 696277, and real links contain ncquickpass.com.
Why did I get a toll text if I never use toll roads?
North Carolina's Attorney General and the NC Turnpike Authority say these texts are sent at random, so you can get one even if you've never driven on a toll road.
How do I check if I really owe an NC toll?
Type ncquickpass.com into your browser yourself, or call NC Quick Pass at 877-769-7277. Don't use the link in the text.
Can I lose my license over an unpaid NC toll?
According to the state, NC Quick Pass won't threaten legal action over an unpaid toll, and you won't lose your license for one.

Sources

Take your time, and talk it over with someone you trust. There's no shame in being targeted, and reporting helps your neighbors too. This page summarizes the official warnings and news reports linked above. It's general information, not legal or financial advice.

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