E-ZPass email? It’s a scam

It’s back.

Marguerite Witten of Everett writes to notify us of a phishing scheme that found its way to her inbox.

“I keep getting emails from E-ZPass saying I have not paid for driving on a toll road,” she said. “I haven’t been on a toll road. Is this a scam or simply annoying spam?”

Definitely a scam. And not just because she hasn’t driven through any toll areas.

E-ZPass is the automatic billing system used by several state tolling systems in the Northeast, where the scam has received a lot of attention. But it’s not even used out here. In Washington, the toll billing system is called Good to Go!.

The state Department of Transportation, which oversees tolling, gives the confirmation.

“You are correct that it is a phishing email. We started hearing about it in July and it appears to still to be circulating,” spokesperson Annie Johnson said.

“WSDOT is not part of the E-ZPass Group. All Good To Go! customer information, including name, address and payment information, is kept confidential and privacy is protected by law.”

Tolling areas in Washington are well-marked and include both directions of the Highway 520 bridge, eastbound on the Tacoma Narrows bridge, and in HOT lanes on Highway 167. Express toll lanes similar to Highway 167 will be coming to I-405 between Lynnwood and Bellevue in fall 2015. Testing of equipment on portions of the 17-mile route is underway but the lanes are not active yet and regular high-occupancy vehicle rules apply.

If you get a suspicious tolling bill — whatever logo is used — call Good To Go! customer service at 866-936-8246.

Have a question? Email us at streetsmarts@heraldnet.com. Please include your name and city of residence. Look for updates on our Street Smarts blog.

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