Phone scams, particularly those involving fraudulent toll charge notifications, have become increasingly prevalent inOklahoma.Scammers impersonate toll agencies, sending text messages that claimrecipientshaveoverdue toll charges and urging them to click on malicious links.
These links often lead to fake websites designed to steal personal and financial information.In May 2024, Attorney General Gentner Drummond alerted Oklahomans to such scams, emphasizing that these messages are phishing attempts aimed at identity theft.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported receiving over 2,000 complaints related to toll road collection text schemes within a twomonth period, affecting at least eight states, including Oklahoma.Toprotectagainst these scams, authorities recommend the following precautions, avoid clicking on links or responding to unsolicited text messages, especially those requesting personal or financial information and verify through official channels.
Anybody who receives a suspicious message regarding toll charges can contact the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority directly at (800) 745-3727 to confirm the legitimacy of the claim. Do not use the contact information provided in the suspicious message and be sure to report suspicious messages.
People can utilize the phone's 'report junk' feature or can forward the message to 7726 or SPAM to notify their service provider. Be sure to delete unsolicited messages and refrain from interacting with the sender, as engagement can lead to further scams.
For anybody who believes they’ve been targeted or have fallen victim to such a scam, contact the Oklahoma Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit at consumerprotection@ oag.ok.gov or call 1-833-681-1895. By staying vigilant and following these guidelines, Oklahomans can better protect themselves from evolving phone scams and phishing attempts.
Other phone scams have become an increasing concern in Oklahoma, affecting residents across the state. These scams range from fraudulent calls impersonating law enforcement officers to municipal court scams. In response, state authorities are actively working to combat these fraudulent activities and protect consumers.
Scammers pose as police officers or sheriff's deputies, informing victims of alleged warrants for their arrest due to missed jury duty or other fabricated offenses. They demand immediate payment through unconventional methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency or Cash App to avoid arrest.
Residents receive calls from numbers spoofed to appear as the Oklahoma City Municipal Court, informing them of supposed fines or legal issues and pressuring them to make immediate payments.
Some parents are contacted by scammers claiming to have their child in custody, demanding ransom. These calls often include background noise to sound convincing, but the children are safe at school.
Oklahoma Attorney General John O'Connor has initiated enforcement actions against companies allegedly involved in routing illegal robocalls. This includes filing civil investigative demands against entities like Avid Telecom and One Eye LLC, aiming to hold them accountable for facilitating fraudulent calls. Law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma, actively warn residents about prevalent scams. They provide guidelines on recognizing fraudulent calls and emphasize that legitimate agencies will not demand payment over the phone.