Pennsylvania
‘Smishing’ scam targets people who drive on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and some who don’t
Why having identity theft protection is so important
Identity theft is probably one of the most costly things that can happen to you, especially if you leave it unresolved for a while.
A simple two-sentence text has been popping up on people’s smart phones this year, informing them they owe money for previous trips along the Pennsylvania Turnpike — even if they haven’t driven on the toll road.
“To prevent further fees totaling $106.00, please settle the due amount of $10.60,” one text read, before listing a website where the person could supposedly pay the overdue bill.
It’s a scam. The texts are not coming from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and some of the people who receive them have never traveled on the turnpike.
If you click on the link, it will take you to a bogus website that asks for your credit card information in order to steal your identity, said Crispin Havener, a Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission spokesman.
The problem started in March when residents in Illinois began receiving the texts, supposedly from the Illinois Tollway. Scammers illegally obtained random lists of phone numbers, then sent texts to those numbers claiming to be from a particular state’s toll or turnpike commission, depending on the area codes, Havener said.
“It’s not a security breach,” Havener said. “There are no issues with our customer accounts.”
What is smishing?
Federal Bureau of Investigation officials call it “smishing” because the cybercriminals use short message service, or SMS, to go “phishing” for people’s credit card information.
The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 2,000 complaints from at least three different states in the month after these texts first appeared on people’s smart phones.
“We saw that initial batch of texts in March and April, then last month we received a new bunch of complaints, and people seem to be receiving them again now,” Havener said.
What should I do if I get one of these texts?
Anyone who receives one of these texts should following these steps, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center:
- File a complaint with the center at www.ic3.gov.
- Check your account using the toll service’s legitimate website. In Pennsylvania, it’s www.paturnpike.com/e-zpass.
- Contact the toll service’s customer service phone number. In Pennsylvania, it’s 877-736-6727.
- Delete any smishing texts received.
- If you clicked any link or provided your information, take efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts. Dispute any unfamiliar charges.
Contact David Bruce at dbruce@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNBruce.
Pennsylvania
Ice-cold temperatures overnight, Impact Day Sunday
Pennsylvania
$1M winning Mega Millions ticket sold in Pennsylvania
Check your tickets! Someone in Pennsylvania won big in Friday’s Mega Millions drawing.
While the jackpot is still rolling, someone in Pennsylvania matched all five winning numbers drawn Friday night— 2-20-51-56-67, but not the Mega Ball, 19, to win $1 million. The Megaplier was 2X.
Three other Pennsylvania Mega Millions players matched four of five numbers drawn, winning $10,000.
Click here for more information from the Pennsylvania Lottery and to check if your ticket won anything.
The Mega Millions jackpot is estimated to be worth $944 million for the next drawing on Christmas Eve.
The Mega Millions odds are 1 in 302.6 million. Winners can choose an annuity with annual payments over 29 years, but most almost always take the cash option.
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Pennsylvania
Gigi Hadid, Bradley Cooper flock to Pennsylvania town turned celebrity haven: expert
New Hope, Pennsylvania, a quaint town of 2,500 people, is becoming a new celebrity haven as it offers a “peaceful and private lifestyle” away from the hustle and bustle of New York City, according to experts.
Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid and their mother, Yolanda Hadid, bought a property in the tiny town in 2017, according to Realtor.
The property, which is called Carousel Farm, was purchased for $3.7 million and consists of a 5,0000 square-foot stone house, a barn that can accommodate 16 horses, and an in-ground pool, according to the outlet.
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The listing of the property describes the home as a “gentleman’s estate” where guests can “relax around the pool, go riding on the 32+ acres, or just play your own version of Gatsby.”
In April 2020, Bella and Gigi posed for Vogue’s March issue on their ranch: “Postcard from Home for Vogue,” Gigi captioned her post.
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Gigi’s ex-boyfriend and father of her child, Zayn Malik, also owns a home in New Hope.
Earlier this year, Malik spoke to British Vogue about the benefits of owning a property in the Pennsylvania town and said it’s a “great place to reflect on your thoughts and think about things without the noise of the world.”
He also noted that his home in New Hope gave him the inspiration for his latest album, “Room Under the Stairs.”
The current man in Gigi’s life, Bradley Cooper, also owns a home in New Hope, just down the street from Carousel Farm, according to the New York Post. The outlet reported that Cooper, who grew up just an hour away in Jenkintown, purchased the home for $6.5 million in December 2023.
Cooper’s newly purchased home was built in 1704 and has undergone extensive renovations, per The Post. The home has seven bedrooms, six bathrooms and is 6,300 square feet.
Tabitha Heit, a licensed relator, told Fox Business, “As a real estate agent licensed in both Pennsylvania and New York, I’ve noticed a significant trend of New Yorkers relocating to Pennsylvania.
“There are several reasons for this shift: the slightly milder climate, more affordable living compared to states like New York and New Jersey, and the overall appeal of the area.”
Heit told Fox Business that since inventory has been “tight” for years, the recent increase in demand has been driving up home prices.
“I would imagine celebrities are drawn to this area as well as it likely offers them a more peaceful and private lifestyle. New Hope, with its artsy vibe, is a standout town, and its location – just across the river from New Jersey – makes it incredibly accessible,” Heit noted.
“I would imagine celebrities are drawn to this area as well as it likely offers them a more peaceful and private lifestyle.”
She added, “Doylestown is another hot spot in Bucks County, offering charm, culture and a vibrant community that continues to attract buyers.”
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Carle Robbins, a broker in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, told Fox Business that New Hope and Doylestown are where celebrities like to dine.
“But the celebs live in the surrounding townships: Solebury, Upper Makefield, Plumstead, Tinicum,” Robbins added.
According to Realtor, the median home price in New Hope is $1.3 million. The outlet also noted that New Hope is in the middle of New York and Philadelphia, which makes it an attractive location for commuters.
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The outlet reported that stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Bieber and Tina Fey have all been seen in New Hope in recent years.
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