While driving on any toll-collecting road, drivers are automatically charged the corresponding fee by the overhead transponder, which deducts that specific amount from the prepaid balance.\u00a0 And when a balance gets low, you can simply top it up.![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/AdobeStock_939112849-1-800x534.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
The benefit of having a SunPass account are:<\/h2>\n\n- Receiving a 25% discount on tolls<\/li>\n
- Not having to stop or slow down to pay<\/li>\n
- Not needing to keep cash or correct change in your vehicle<\/li>\n
- The ability to use the SunPass device at other toll agencies \u2013 meaning, you can fly through tolls in any other state where E-ZPass is accepted. That\u2019s twenty-one states and counting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The SunPass device comes in two forms: one that is permanently attached to a windshield, and the other that can be moved from one vehicle to another. The stick-on transponder is a more economical, but the slightly higher fee for the portable device is great if you\u2019re one person who switches between a car and motorcycle, for example. SunPass<\/a> devices and prepayment options can be accessed and obtained online, by phone, or in person at different retail outlets. ![\"E-ZPass](\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\")
<\/p>\nNow, let\u2019s get back to the issue that inspired this post to begin with.\u00a0 Let\u2019s say you\u2019re not from Florida and you don\u2019t have a SunPass in your vehicle.\u00a0 Or let\u2019s say you\u2019re just not so technologically inclined and haven\u2019t purchased the transponder.\u00a0 Well, seeing as how there are hardly any actual, physical toll booths left in the state of Florida, how do you pay tolls?<\/p>\n
Well, folks driving vehicles without a SunPass (or E-ZPass) device are photographed by overhead cameras \u2013 their license plates are the focus of the photograph, by the way \u2013 and then will receive a bill in the mail from the agency in charge of collecting Florida roadway fees.\u00a0 This process is a regular occurrence and is called Toll-by-Plate. It simply uses the registered address associated with the pictured license plate and issues a Toll Enforcement Invoice via mail. USPS. Snail mail.<\/p>\n
We make this distinction of how the Toll Enforcement Invoice arrives, because it lies at the heart of the fraud that\u2019s taking its toll (pun intended) on Florida drivers of late.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
You see, SunPass themselves have issued a warning to the public about something called Smishing. <\/p>\n
Smishing (what a term, eh) is when criminals use text messages to try and force you into remitting payment electronically for a bogus reason. These dishonest folks will try and convince you of some dire emergency or outstanding bill that must be paid post-haste, or else.\u00a0 They will usually assume the name of a friend or relative, pretend to be the IRS or a utility company, or in this case, SunPass.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve seen examples of such text messages, and they read as follows:<\/h2>\n
\u201c<\/em>The Toll Roads Notice of Toll Evasion: You have an unpaid toll bill on your account. To avoid late fees, pay within 12 hours or the late fees will be increased and reported to the DMV.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/sunpass.com-etc-bzhz.top\/vip<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n(Please reply Y, then exit the text message and open it again to activate the link, or copy the link to your Safari browser and open it)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nThe Toll Roads team wishes you a great day!\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nOr:<\/p>\n
\u201cSUN PASS Alert – Your vehicle has an unpaid toll bill. To avoid excessive late fees on your bill, please settle it promptly. Thank you for your cooperation!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nTotal amount: $6.99<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nNow Payment: https:\/\/sunpass.com-qfp.world\/us<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n(Please reply Y, then exit the SMS and open it again to activate the link, or copy the link to your browser.)\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nNeither of the above messages are authentic, valid, or legal.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
SunPass themselves have created an informational document to address this scam and to educate people on what\u2019s actually going on.\u00a0 You can access the PDF here.<\/a><\/p>\nSo, that said, we wanted to let our friends know to never, ever respond to any text message about tolls in the state of Florida: SunPass will never contact you via text message!\u00a0 Your best bet is to delete the message immediately, without clicking on any links.\u00a0 If you can, it might be best to block the number from which the message originated. For more information, check out the SunPass document, or contact them directly with any questions or concerns regarding tolls, billing, or devices.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Florida\u2019s Attorney General is also well aware and working diligently to help stop the SunPass scam, and if you\u2019d like to check out their data and progress, or for recourse options, you can start here.<\/a><\/p>\n
The SunPass device comes in two forms: one that is permanently attached to a windshield, and the other that can be moved from one vehicle to another. The stick-on transponder is a more economical, but the slightly higher fee for the portable device is great if you\u2019re one person who switches between a car and motorcycle, for example. SunPass<\/a> devices and prepayment options can be accessed and obtained online, by phone, or in person at different retail outlets. Now, let\u2019s get back to the issue that inspired this post to begin with.\u00a0 Let\u2019s say you\u2019re not from Florida and you don\u2019t have a SunPass in your vehicle.\u00a0 Or let\u2019s say you\u2019re just not so technologically inclined and haven\u2019t purchased the transponder.\u00a0 Well, seeing as how there are hardly any actual, physical toll booths left in the state of Florida, how do you pay tolls?<\/p>\n Well, folks driving vehicles without a SunPass (or E-ZPass) device are photographed by overhead cameras \u2013 their license plates are the focus of the photograph, by the way \u2013 and then will receive a bill in the mail from the agency in charge of collecting Florida roadway fees.\u00a0 This process is a regular occurrence and is called Toll-by-Plate. It simply uses the registered address associated with the pictured license plate and issues a Toll Enforcement Invoice via mail. USPS. Snail mail.<\/p>\n We make this distinction of how the Toll Enforcement Invoice arrives, because it lies at the heart of the fraud that\u2019s taking its toll (pun intended) on Florida drivers of late.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n You see, SunPass themselves have issued a warning to the public about something called Smishing. Smishing (what a term, eh) is when criminals use text messages to try and force you into remitting payment electronically for a bogus reason. These dishonest folks will try and convince you of some dire emergency or outstanding bill that must be paid post-haste, or else.\u00a0 They will usually assume the name of a friend or relative, pretend to be the IRS or a utility company, or in this case, SunPass.<\/p>\n \u201c<\/em>The Toll Roads Notice of Toll Evasion: You have an unpaid toll bill on your account. To avoid late fees, pay within 12 hours or the late fees will be increased and reported to the DMV.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/sunpass.com-etc-bzhz.top\/vip<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n (Please reply Y, then exit the text message and open it again to activate the link, or copy the link to your Safari browser and open it)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The Toll Roads team wishes you a great day!\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Or:<\/p>\n \u201cSUN PASS Alert – Your vehicle has an unpaid toll bill. To avoid excessive late fees on your bill, please settle it promptly. Thank you for your cooperation!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Total amount: $6.99<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Now Payment: https:\/\/sunpass.com-qfp.world\/us<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n (Please reply Y, then exit the SMS and open it again to activate the link, or copy the link to your browser.)\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Neither of the above messages are authentic, valid, or legal.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n SunPass themselves have created an informational document to address this scam and to educate people on what\u2019s actually going on.\u00a0 You can access the PDF here.<\/a><\/p>\n So, that said, we wanted to let our friends know to never, ever respond to any text message about tolls in the state of Florida: SunPass will never contact you via text message!\u00a0 Your best bet is to delete the message immediately, without clicking on any links.\u00a0 If you can, it might be best to block the number from which the message originated. For more information, check out the SunPass document, or contact them directly with any questions or concerns regarding tolls, billing, or devices.<\/p>\n Florida\u2019s Attorney General is also well aware and working diligently to help stop the SunPass scam, and if you\u2019d like to check out their data and progress, or for recourse options, you can start here.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"E-ZPass](\"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/AdobeStock_544209646_Editorial_Use_Only-1-800x533.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"SunPass](\"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/AdobeStock_1171959098_Editorial_Use_Only-1-800x486.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nWe\u2019ve seen examples of such text messages, and they read as follows:<\/h2>\n
![\"Legal](\"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/AdobeStock_882489879-1-800x533.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n