FBI El Paso warns community to beware of ‘unpaid toll fees’ text message scam

El Pasoans are receiving scam text messages once again asking people to pay their balance in toll bills, or else "increased late fees will be reported to the DMV."

But Texas DMV told ABC-7 that they do not collect toll fees.

"I actually got it this morning," said Briana Estrada, a UTEP student who says she doesn't even drive.

You may also be wondering where they got your phone number from.

"We use our phone numbers to sign up for accounts everywhere. And if there has been data breaches, it's easy for people to find a phone number. So it's easy for me to even try to look up your name and get your phone number, because it's probably out there," said Jeanette Harper from FBI El Paso.

A scam that first started in just three states, is now reaching to people from coast to coast in the U.S., Harper says.

One way to know it's a scam -- El Paso doesn't charge tolls. 

TxDOT also told ABC-7 that they're aware of the scam and that TxTag doesn't send emails or texts to customers about their unpaid balances.

"I mean, first I was confused. I had been out of town like, a month ago, so I was confused as it could have been," said Brenna April, a student at UTEP. "But then I just went to, like, look it up online. And then I also saw it on the toll like web page there saying there was camps and stuff like that."

The FBI is warns people to not click the link, as it could steal your personal information and payment details.

"I got one today actually, and I just deleted it because I was like 'This is annoying,'" said Leah April, another student. "The first time I got it, I looked at it and I was kind of like, 'This is really weird.' I haven't been on a toll road anywhere, and so this must be a scam."

Harper says the scammers are from outside of the U.S. and that some of the scam links can install malicious software as soon as you click on it.

"It can be anywhere from $2 to $5 to $100, because sometimes they say there's late fees incurred and interest," explained Harper. "But it doesn't just stop there because once they have your information and they know it's a valid phone number, your phone number, they're going to start targeting you with other scams."

The FBI also said that if you believe you've fallen victim to this scam, you should contact your financial institution and report it on ic3.gov.