Cubans in the United States have reported on social media a new type of scam spreading through text messages. Scammers are sending false alerts about alleged unpaid tolls with fraudulent links aimed at stealing personal and banking information.
TikTok user Jaime Cabrera was one of those who issued a warning through a video on his profile @jaimevillaclara. In his message, he urged the community not to fall for this scam and detailed his experience, stating that the fraudulent message claimed the user had an outstanding toll debt that needed to be paid immediately through a suspicious link. According to Cabrera, one of the main indicators of the scam is that the messages come from numbers with the country code +63, indicating they originate from abroad. He also noted that the message reached individuals who do not even have a toll account, reinforcing the suspicion of fraud. Cabrera concluded his alert by recommending that users not open the link, ignore the message, and block the sender's number to avoid falling for the scam.
Another user identified as China Reyes (@chinareyes1604) shared her own testimony about the scam. In her video, she also highlighted the seriousness of the fraud and shared screenshots of the messages she has received. Reyes emphasized that the best way to verify if one truly has a debt is by consulting the official app of the toll service and recommended avoiding any suspicious links. She also warned about other variations of scams that are circulating, such as those pretending to be from iCloud, requesting payments for data storage. According to Reyes, the best protection is to enable two-step verification on WhatsApp and not to respond to unknown messages asking for personal or banking information.
The videos by Jaime Cabrera and China Reyes, along with others that have exposed the scam on various platforms, have sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with hundreds of users sharing their experiences. Many people reported receiving fraudulent messages, with some even noting that they do not own a vehicle or have a toll account, confirming the widespread nature of the deception. Among the reactions, some users highlighted that they have received multiple messages on different days, and that the senders change constantly. There were also reports of individuals who clicked on the links and fell victim to money theft.
On January 17th, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of the U.S. issued an alert regarding this type of fraud, indicating that scammers are sending fake messages on behalf of toll agencies. In its statement, the FTC warns that these messages often include a false amount of debt and a link to a page that requests banking or credit card information. The FTC emphasizes that these messages are not legitimate and advises users not to click on the links, to verify directly with the official toll agency whether any debt exists, and to report and delete these fraudulent messages. Additionally, it suggests that anyone who receives such a message report it using the "report as spam" option on their devices or by sending it to the number 7726 (SPAM).
In light of the proliferation of these messages, authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and to spread the information to prevent more people from falling victim to this scam.
Frequently asked questions about scams involving fake toll messages targeting Cubans in the U.S.
¿Cómo operan las estafas de mensajes falsos de peajes en EE.UU.?
Fraudulent toll message scams operate by sending fake alerts indicating supposed unpaid debts. The messages include a link that, when clicked, attempts to steal the user's personal and banking information. These messages often originate from numbers with the country code +63, suggesting a foreign source.
What should Cubans in the U.S. do if they receive these toll messages?
If you receive these messages, you should avoid clicking on the link, ignore the message, and block the sender's number. Additionally, it is advisable to verify any toll debts directly through the official service app and report these messages as spam using the number 7726 (SPAM).
What other similar scams are affecting Cubans in the U.S.?
Other scams include fraudulent messages related to services like iCloud, where payments are requested for data storage. These scams also aim to obtain personal and banking information, so it is essential not to respond to suspicious messages and to enable security measures such as two-step verification.
How can social media users protect themselves from these scams?
To protect themselves, users should avoid clicking on suspicious links and not provide personal information to strangers. Additionally, it is advisable to always keep the security systems of their devices updated and report any attempt at fraud to the relevant authorities.
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