South Dakota officials caution travelers about toll road scams

PIERRE, S.D. (KTIV) - South Dakota officials are warning travelers of a new scam taking place on the state’s roads.

On Tuesday, March 11, South Dakota’s Attorney General Marty Jackley and South Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Joel Jundt warned residents of a new text scam.

Both agencies say a text message scam is being reported in South Dakota in which people are being ordered to pay a tax to travel on South Dakota roads.

“This scam informs residents they have an outstanding toll amount and to be resolved by a certain date or jeopardize their legal ability to drive and threatens future penalties,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley,

Attorney General Jackley says the message includes a link to an E-Z Pass account, posing as an overdue payment portal.

DOT Secretary Jundt says the state of South Dakota does not levy these kinds of taxes.

“All South Dakota state-owned roads and bridges are toll-free,” said Jundt.

To lessen the impact of these scams, both agencies recommend the following tips.

• Do not click on suspicious links or accept downloads.
• Do not give in to high-pressured tactics to resolve “the issue.
• Stop, take a moment, and review all information.
• If you don’t know the number, then don’t answer the call.
• Find the official number of the agency that allegedly called you and confirm the supposed information directly.
• Do not provide money or personal information by telephone or Internet to an individual or agency that hasn’t been verified or you don’t know.
• Be weary of calls that tell you to not tell anyone else about the call.
• Talk with someone you trust before providing personal information or money to a person who contacts your number.

To those who believe they have been a victim of any scam, contact the Consumer Protection Division, found at the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-300-1986 or at https://consumer.sd.gov/.

For more information on SDDOT programs, follow this link.

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