Tampa, FL -- Someone is sending fake collection notices to people all over the state with a not-so-veiled threat: Pay a $50 toll violation or face legal trouble, even a suspended license.
Of course, none of it is true.
"I think a lot of people would just be tempted to say let me just pay this," said Kristi Kluba, who received a letter this week warning her to pay the fine.
The letter also stated there were no credit cards accepted. Just a cashier's check or money order.
That raised a red flag.
"My husband called on Monday morning to the offices that were listed on there and neither of the phone numbers actually worked," said Kluba.
It turns out Toll Enforcement, LLC, the company listed on the letter, is a phony, and the invoice that Kluba and lots of other people have been getting the mail is bogus.
"We just don't want people to be cheated out of their money," said Florida Department of Transportation spokesperson Kris Carson.
FDOT and the Florida Turnpike Authority are aware of the scam and have now posted a warning on their respective websites.
The letter, complete with the state of Florida on it may look legit, but it lacks a lot of the information that a genuine notice would include, says Carson. Like a picture of your car, the time and date of the toll or violation.
"You will have specific details. This generic notice has none of that," said Carson.
A man paying the toll along the Veterans Expressway in Tampa was infuriated.
"I think they're low-lives, I think they're scammers," he said, "and I think they need to grow up and get a life."
The account number seems to be the same on each letter, so it does not appear any SunPass accounts have been hacked.
Also, FDOT works with only two collection agencies. One is called "Alliance One" - the other is Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson, LLP. They do not do any business with Toll Enforcement, LLC, whose Miami address apparently traces back to a Post Office box.
Of course FDOT does not want drivers to ignore a real toll or violation invoice either.
To address that concern, FDOT is encouraging anyone who gets a bill in the mail to call the Sunpass Customer Service Center at (888) 865-5352, they will tell you whether it's fake or it's the real thing.
