NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – More than 10 internet domains associated with a “smishing scam,” where people received texts about fake unpaid parking tickets or toll fees, were shut down following an investigation, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced last Friday.
The DA became aware of this scam after a detective received a text message requesting $2.50 to settle a $25 balance, including a link. Complaints with the same description then started to roll in to the Cyber Currency Unit.
The operation, identified as a smishing scam, is a type of phishing that uses text messages and websites to steal personal information. It often starts with a legitimate-looking, alarming text message.
When users clicked on the link, which appeared to be from “NYC Citypay,” they were asked for their name, date of birth, driver's license number, and credit or debit card number, according to the investigation.
Clicking on the attached link took victims to an official-looking website where they were asked to enter their identifying information, which can then be used for identity theft or sold on the Dark Web, according to Gonzalez.
“Swift response by our Virtual Currency Unit allowed us to dismantle 11 domains that were used to scam New Yorkers by using credible-looking websites,” Gonzalez said. “People should be very suspicious of any unsolicited text message or email requesting money or personal information, and to never click on link without knowing the sender. Even as we continue to shut down these fraudulent sites, education and prevention remain the best defense.”
Following an investigation the DA’s Office identified 11 domains connected to the scam and took them offline pursuant to a court order.
The dismantled domains were: nycitypay.com, newyorktollbymail.com, tollsnewyorkbymail.com, tollwebmail518ny.com, nytoll585.com, nyaccounttoll.com, mailny8291.com, nytollbymail.com, nytolls2229.com, nybymail.com, ny1ezpassexpress.com, newyorktollbymail.com.
“This administration will not sit idly by while bad actors attempt to take advantage of unsuspecting New Yorkers,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement.
Gonzalez warned that people who responded to the text and entered their information, should “freeze the account they used to pay the small fee, activate a credit card freeze, notify their bank and credit card provider, and closely monitor their finances for a few months to look for unusual activity.”