Pennsylvania Turnpike to launch text alerts for unpaid tolls this summer

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will launch a six-month pilot program starting June 1 to send text messages about unpaid tolls, but the initiative may cause confusion due to ongoing scam messages. Initiative may cause confusion due to ongoing scam messagesFor two years, the Turnpike Commission and consumer advocates have warned drivers not to click on links or respond to fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid tolls. “We’re currently working out the messaging. And that’s something that we’re really focused on now and how we can differentiate this message, to make sure it’s something that customers trust. And they know it’s authentic and, and unique to their traveling experience on the turnpike,” Marissa Orbanek from the Turnpike Commission said. The commission plans to inform drivers about what legitimate messages will say, when they will be sent, and the phone number they will come from. The Turnpike Commission also noted that other tolling agencies across the country using text alerts have seen improved payment rates before accounts go to collections.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will launch a six-month pilot program starting June 1 to send text messages about unpaid tolls, but the initiative may cause confusion due to ongoing scam messages.

Initiative may cause confusion due to ongoing scam messages

For two years, the Turnpike Commission and consumer advocates have warned drivers not to click on links or respond to fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid tolls.

“We’re currently working out the messaging. And that’s something that we’re really focused on now and how we can differentiate this message, to make sure it’s something that customers trust. And they know it’s authentic and, and unique to their traveling experience on the turnpike,” Marissa Orbanek from the Turnpike Commission said.

The commission plans to inform drivers about what legitimate messages will say, when they will be sent, and the phone number they will come from.

The Turnpike Commission also noted that other tolling agencies across the country using text alerts have seen improved payment rates before accounts go to collections.