HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Police Department is warning residents about a text message scam involving fake toll payment requests.
Police Chief Brian Keenan issued the alert after reports of the scam targeting community members.
The scam involves text messages claiming recipients have limited time to pay late tolls and directing them to click a link for payment.
Authorities urge residents not to click the link and to delete the message immediately.
EZ-Pass and MassDOT do not contact drivers via text for toll payments, and the “Toll Roads Notice of Toll Evasion” is not legitimate.
Police emphasized that city, state, or federal agencies, as well as utility companies and law enforcement, do not accept payments through gift cards, bitcoin, Venmo, or similar online payment services.
Residents are advised to hang up or delete any suspicious calls, texts, or emails requesting money.
Chief Keenan urged residents to share the warning, particularly with older family members, as they are often targeted by such scams.
