MARYLAND — Scammers pretending to be E-ZPass toll road collectors are swindling drivers out of money. The Maryland Transportation Authority on Tuesday warned drivers about the scam.

The scammers are sending texts claiming to be “E-ZPass Toll Services.” The texts direct recipients to click a link to pay an outstanding toll balance to avoid a late fee.

This message is fraudulent. The toll account information provided in these texts is neither valid nor accurate.

E-ZPass warned customers to delete the texts immediately and told them to not click on any links in the text messages. Anybody who clicked the link and completed the form should immediately contact their financial institution and notify E-ZPass of any erroneous information posted to their accounts.

“Scam attacks through emails and text messaging are on the rise in our country and protecting the safety of E-ZPass customer information is of paramount importance to us,” E-ZPass Group Executive Director PJ Wilkins said in a press release. “We will continue to work with our partnering states to alert our customers of any criminal activity that places them at risk, and we encourage E-ZPass customers to be vigilant in ensuring that their personal and financial information is not compromised by falling prey to these fraudulent schemes.”

The FBI recently issued a public service announcement on the scam.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center has received over 2,000 complaints from at least three undisclosed states about the claim.

Officials think the scam is moving from state-to-state with nearly identical language and similar “outstanding toll amounts.”

The phone number and the link provided, which impersonates the state’s toll service name, seems to change between states.

E-ZPass customers who receive the text should file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

Maryland E-ZPass customers wishing to pay their real balances should contact DriveEzMD at 1-888-321-6824. A live chat is available at driveezmd.com Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In-person Customer Service Centers are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Extended hours are in effect Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. A list of center locations is posted at driveezmd.com/contact-us.

The La Plata Police Department (LPPD) is proud to unveil its Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD) Torch Run public/private partnership cruiser.  The Special Olympics Torch Run and SOM logos are displayed on the sides of the cruiser.

For over 42-years, law enforcement has been the single largest fundraiser for Special Olympics nationwide.

The funds have helped to support Special Olympics Maryland’s mission to provide year–round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic–type sports for children and adults with an intellectual disability, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

“Special Olympics Maryland values the extraordinary partnership with the Maryland law enforcement community in their year-round efforts of raising funds and creating awareness for Special Olympics Maryland through various fundraising and awareness initiatives, said Betsy Jiron, Law Enforcement Torch Run Liaison, Special Olympics Maryland. “Carl Schinner and the La Plata Police Department have taken their support one step further with a “wrapped” police cruiser that not only will help create more awareness for Special Olympics Maryland, but also displays La Plata Police Department’s amazing partnership and commitment to the community they serve.”

LPPD Officer Mary “Becca” Chaney requested to be assigned the SOMD cruiser.  Officer Chaney stated, “Growing up my mom was a special education teacher for children with disabilities.  I often would help my mom with walking students to class or assisting during lunch.  I became very familiar with sign language during this period of my life.  As I got older, I continuously helped with special education programs at my school and I also babysat for parents who had children with disabilities, as this can be hard to find someone who can handle some of the challenges.  My dream was to become a police officer and having been awarded this opportunity to support individuals with special needs while doing the job I love; I could not ask for more.”

Chief Carl Schinner noted, “It is extremely important that individuals with disabilities know they are important members of our community. Having it openly displayed on LPPD’s Special Olympics Maryland and Pathfinders for Autism vehicles sends that important message…. You are valued here in La Plata.”

The SOMD vehicle was designed by Suburban Signs and the graphics were generously donated by FGS, a La Plata-based business.

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