Throughout 2023 the ACMA reported an increase of Linkt branded toll road impersonation scams. Some of these impersonation scams include links in the message to what looks like a legitimate tool road invoice.
In 2024, reports indicate a surge despite efforts by telecommunications companies to combat SMS scams. The deceptive messages continue to proliferate, raising concerns among consumers.
More than 300,000 Australian motorists have reported receiving texts by scammers posing as toll road giant Linkt, claiming the recipient has unpaid toll fees. However, many mobile phone users have reported they don’t have a car, or a license.
Linkt Branded SMS Scams – Ongoing throughout 2023 and 2024
Often, the text claims you will receive fines, penalties, or fees if you do not pay immediately. These are not real Linkt or Transurban communications.
A statement on the Linkt website says, “We’re aware of multiple scam SMS claiming to be from Linkt, urging you to pay for tolls, or warning of overdue or unpaid bills,”
“The SMS claims that toll payments are overdue and includes a link, asking you to use the link to payment, or to verify the unpaid bill. Often, the text claims you will recieve fines, penalties, or fees if you do not pay immediately,”
“These are not real Linkt or Transurban communications. Do not click the links, call the number, or reply to the sender,”
“Our cybersecurity team is working with telecommunications providers to identify and block phone numbers sending these texts, and in the last year, Linkt customers have reported over 335,000 scam messages to us.
“We are aware of an SMS phishing scam that is using the Linkt and Transurban brands,” a Transurban spokesperson said.
More than five million customers had been contacted and given information on how to protect themselves against scams, and how to identify genuine Linkt communications, the spokesperson said.
The prevalence of Linkt branded toll road scam SMSs continue unabated
Telcos have struggled to keep pace with the evolving tactics employed by scammers, resulting in a persistent threat to consumers.
Authorities, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and state police agencies, are actively investigating these fraudulent activities and urging consumers to remain vigilant.
Linkt has also issued warnings on its official channels, advising customers to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of any communication purportedly from the company.
Despite the concerted efforts of Australian telecommunications companies to curb scam text messages, mobile phone customers are still expressing skepticism regarding the efficacy of these measures.
Australian telcos say they have employed advanced artificial intelligence algorithms and machine learning models to detect and block suspicious texts in real-time. However, Consumers are voicing concerns that the onslaught of scam text messages has not abated.
Many individuals report that they continue to receive fraudulent messages, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the measures implemented by telecommunications companies.
According to data released by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) on December 1, 2023, over 336.7 million scam text messages (SMS) have been intercepted since July 2022
The discrepancy between the reported interception figures and the lived experiences of mobile phone users highlights a growing disconnect between regulatory efforts and consumer perception.
Between 2022 and 2023, a staggering 47% of Australians reported encountering misleading or deceptive text messages. Alarmingly, in 2022 alone, Australians suffered losses estimated at $3.1 billion due to scams.
While industry stakeholders applaud the strides made in combating scam messages, consumers remain unconvinced, calling for more robust strategies to address the persistent issue of fraudulent communications.
