Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a warning to residents about ongoing text-based scams. These scams claim that recipients owe past-due charges and include fraudulent links designed to steal sensitive payment data. The California Department of Justice advises caution when dealing with such messages.

"California, these scammers are relentless," said Attorney General Bonta. "While text-based toll charge scams remain widespread, consumers across our state are also receiving texts claiming they owe a parking ticket charge."

Bonta emphasized the sophistication of these scams and urged Californians not to click on suspicious links. Instead, he recommended visiting official websites and discussing potential dangers with friends and family.

The alert outlines steps for those who receive possible scam texts: do not click on any links, file complaints with relevant authorities including the FBI and Federal Trade Commission, delete the messages, verify account information through legitimate websites, and regularly check financial statements for unauthorized transactions.

Toll charge scams specifically target drivers by mimicking FasTrak notifications. FasTrak is an electronic toll collection system used in California that does not request payments via text. The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) advises verifying notifications through their official website or app.

Parking charge scams exploit fears of unpaid tickets by impersonating agencies like the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which does not request payments via text. For accurate information on paying SFMTA citations, individuals should visit SFMTA.com/PayCitation.

Package delivery scams often claim issues with deliveries during gift-giving seasons but can occur year-round. Delivery companies do not ask for payment to release packages or correct errors; such requests indicate a scam.

Attorney General Bonta remains committed to enforcing consumer protections in California and nationwide. His efforts include combating illegal robocalls through initiatives like the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force.