A scam involving Linkt - the company behind the E-Tag pass electronic device that automatically calculates tolls when drivers in Australia travel through toll roads - is making the rounds.
To make sure you don't get duped by this scam, we're going to take a deep dive into what it is, what to keep an eye out for, and what to do. If you need support or just someone to talk to, our Sonder support team is available 24/7 to chat whenever you need it.
Spotting the fake SMS message
This scam involves E-Tag pass owners being sent text messages supposedly from Linkt asking for payment over unpaid tolls and directs them to a suspicious link. There are a number of variations of this fake text, but most generally involve the same unpaid tolls messaging and all contain a suspicious link. Other fake texts contain a suspicious link and a request to update your vehicle information.
There are a number of signs that indicate whether a text is fake:
Linkt will never ask you to update financial information by SMS, but they may give the option to update your email address by replying to an SMS.
Linkt may also email or SMS you occasionally about updating personal or payment details using its website or app. In this case, make sure you're always logging in to the Linkt website or app through the official URL: linkt.com.au.
The text has spelling errors and/or grammatical mistakes.
Here's an example of a fake Linkt text sent by scammers:
If you click on the link, you'll be taken to a fake website that contains a fake unpaid toll and a link asking for your personal and financial details. DO NOT click on this link.
If you've clicked on the link, DO NOT share any information or interact with this fake website.
Here's an example of what this fake website looks like:
What to do
If you've received one of these scam texts, the first thing is to never click on the link. Change your passwords for your online accounts if you're unsure what's going on.
If you aren't sure if your E-Tag pass has been affected, login at linkt.com.au to check for any issues. You can also contact Linkt directly if you're unsure whether the text message is legitimate.
If you've shared personal or financial details in response to the fake text message, you need to:
Contact your bank immediately to let them know what happened and ask what they can do to help.
Change the passwords for any online accounts that might be at risk. Make sure to enable two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security.
Lastly, take screenshots and report any suspicious messages to Linkt here before deleting the message and blocking the number.
Related reading:
If you have any questions or need extra support, we're here to help you anytime in any language. Simply start a chat with us via the home screen of the Sonder app.
Information sourced from: Linkt
Image credit: Perfect Parking Driving School at Facebook
All content is created and published for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice.