The Major Travel Scam Disney World Visitors Are Still Falling For

Planning a Disney World trip should be magical — not nerve-wracking.

If you’re driving to the parks, you’re probably already budgeting for gas, hotels, food, and yeah — tolls. But there’s a scam out there targeting drivers that’s sneaky, easy to fall for, and seriously stressful if you don’t know what to look for. Here’s what’s going on, how to avoid it, and why your phone might be your biggest vulnerability.

Getting to Disney World Means Driving on Toll Roads

If you’re headed to Disney World and driving in from just about anywhere in Florida, chances are you’re going to hit a toll road. Most of us locals and frequent visitors already have toll accounts — like SunPass, E-PASS, or another prepaid transponder — stuck to our windshields, automatically deducting from our account each time we pass under a toll reader.

No toll account? No problem. Florida’s system is set up to send a bill to the address connected to your license plate through “Toll-by-Plate.” It’s convenient, automatic, and usually no big deal. But here’s where the scam creeps in.

Smishing Scams Are Pretending To Be Toll Authorities

This isn’t some overly complicated hacker operation you’d see in a movie. It’s something much simpler — and much more believable. It’s a text.

A completely normal-looking, seemingly legit text saying you owe toll money. Maybe it mentions overdue tolls, maybe it threatens late fees, or says your account is suspended. The goal? To get you to click a link — one that looks just real enough — and enter your personal info to “resolve the issue.”

This is a textbook smishing scam (that’s phishing via text). And unfortunately, it works. People panic. People click. People enter credit card numbers, names, even addresses, thinking they’re paying off a missed toll bill. But what they’re really doing is handing over sensitive info to scammers — who now have everything they need to make purchases under your name or even commit identity theft.

How To Avoid This Scam (Without Freaking Out Every Time You Get a Text)

Here’s what you need to do if you’re driving in and relying on a toll system, especially if you don’t have a prepaid pass already:

• Don’t click anything in a random text or email about tolls. Just opening the message won’t hurt you. But clicking a link or opening an attachment? That’s where you’re vulnerable.
• Check for typos in the URL or sender info. Scammers love using a website that looks almost right — maybe one extra letter, a weird capital letter, or a .net instead of .com.
• Don’t trust “opt-out” links either. Clicking those can install malware just like any other scam link.
• Verify directly. If you’re unsure whether it’s real, don’t guess. Go to the official website (like SunPass.com), log into your account, or call the number listed on their site. Do not call the number in the text.
• Use your phone’s tools. Report the text as junk or spam, or forward it to 7726 (that’s SPAM on your keypad).
• You can also file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if you feel like you’ve been targeted or want to help stop this from hitting others.

One More Thing — Register for the Do Not Call List

It’s not foolproof, but registering your number with the National Do Not Call Registry can help cut down on unwanted texts and calls. Scammers are crafty, and this won’t block everything, but it’s another layer of defense.

Bottom Line? Scammers Are Banking on Your Panic

They know you’re probably in a hurry. They know you don’t want late fees or suspended toll accounts. And they’re hoping you won’t take the time to double-check. But you know better now.

You know that legit toll systems won’t randomly text you threats about overdue bills. You know that any real issue with tolls would come through your account or in the mail — not via some sketchy link on your phone. And you know that it’s better to pause, breathe, and verify than click in a panic.

So If You’re Driving To Disney World Soon…

Be on alert. Watch those texts. And tell your travel buddies about this too, especially if they’re using a rental car or don’t have a toll pass set up.

For more news, make sure to stay tuned to AllEars.

If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!

U.S. State Department Urges Travelers to Exercise Increased Caution Worldwide

Have you gotten one of these scammy texts before? Let us know in the comments!

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