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It started with a text.
In April, 72-year-old Tracy Jeffords was driving home to Lake County after undergoing a heart procedure in San Francisco. A few days later, his phone buzzed with a text message that looked like it was from FasTrak — the Bay Area’s toll payment system.
FasTrak Final Notice: You have an unpaid toll. Failure to remit payment by April 19, 2025, will result in additional penalties or legal proceedings.
Tired from his trip and worried about possible fines, Jeffords followed the instructions in the message and opened the link to what appeared to be the FasTrak website — complete with logo, colors, and official-looking design. He entered his debit card information to settle what he assumed was a small toll balance.
The next day, a real letter from FasTrak arrived in his mailbox — a legitimate statement showing what he actually owed. Confused, he checked his bank account. That’s when he saw it: a $3,300 eBay purchase he never made, charged to the same debit card he had used the night before.
He reported the fraud to both eBay and his bank, Wells Fargo, but the money was already gone. Debit card transactions clear instantly, and once the funds leave your account, they’re nearly impossible to recover.
Based on reporting from ABC7 News.
Lessons Learned
The goal of this newsletter is to expose the tactics scammers use — so when they try them on you, you’ll recognize the red flags before it’s too late. Tracy’s story shows how even routine errands — like paying a toll — can be turned into traps.
Don’t trust texts about tolls. FasTrak never sends payment requests by text. Real notices come by mail or appear in your verified online account.
Look closely at links. Scammers use look-alike websites with extra words, dashes, or letters — bayareafastrak. org-etcv. win/us looks convincing but isn’t real. Always type the official site yourself: www.bayareafastrak. org.
Use a credit card, not a debit card. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection. With debit cards, once the money leaves your account, it’s often gone.
Watch for urgency and threats. Phrases like “Final Notice” or “Immediate action required” are designed to make you panic. Slow down and verify before you act.
If you’re unsure, call FasTrak directly. Use the number on your account statement or official website — not the one in a text or email.
This scam isn’t limited to tolls. The same tactic can be used for fake messages about cell phone bills, electricity, insurance, or other everyday services.
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