SunPass scam texts hit drivers in Okaloosa, Walton counties

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — Law enforcement agencies here and across Florida are warning drivers about a scam involving fraudulent text messages that claim recipients have unpaid toll violations.

The scam messages, which appear to be from SunPass, falsely warn drivers of “toll evasion” and direct them to a website that closely mimics the official SunPass portal. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) is among those alerting residents to the scam, urging them not to click the link or respond.

Many victims have reported receiving the fake toll violation texts shortly after driving through a toll, making the scheme seem more convincing, said the WCSO.

Officials emphasize that toll agencies do not request payments through text messages and advise drivers to verify toll notices only through official sources, such as the Florida Department of Transportation’s SunPass website.

Authorities encourage residents to report the scam texts as junk and delete them. For more information or to report a suspected scam, contact local law enforcement.

Last month, the Florida Attorney General’s Office, in collaboration with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Cyber Fraud Analytical Support Team, announced the shutdown of hundreds of fraudulent websites sending fake SunPass texts.

Additionally, residents in various Florida regions, including South Florida and the Tampa Bay area, have reported receiving these scam messages.