Klamath County, Oregon – Following a surge of text message scams aimed at naive people, the Klamath Falls Police Department is alerting locals. Dubbed a “smishing” scam, the most recent technique consists in false messages saying the recipient owes money for unpaid toll charges.
Officials claim that scammers are sending out texts appearing to be from toll service providers. The texts say the recipient has an overdue toll debt and has to pay right away to prevent late penalties. Each message includes what appears to be an authoritative website—but is actually a fake meant to steal your financial and personal data.
Authorities say scammers are becoming increasingly persuasive. They use language that feels urgent and links that mimic real toll sites. The department highlighted that phone numbers used in these frauds are regularly rotated and could seem to come from several states.
Authorities urge anyone who receives such a message not to click on any links. Instead, delete the text and, if concerned, verify your toll account by directly visiting the official toll service provider’s website—not the link provided in the message. Victims or attempted victims are encouraged to report the scam to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at this link.
Unfortunately, there are other scams going throughout Klamath County besides the toll one. There have also been documented reports of another scam utilizing fraudulent public lien notices. In this instance, residents can get an official-looking letter in their mailbox stating they owe money connected to a lien and urging immediate payment.
Here is a sample of what the Notice looks like
Officials of Klamath County have verified that these mailers are fake. If you receive one of these notices and you are concerned about your lien status, do not send money. To find out whether any liens exist on their property, residents could call the Klamath County Clerk’s Office at (541) 883-5134.
To trick victims into sharing private information or making money, both frauds rely on fear and urgency. Law enforcement is urging residents to remain cautious and skeptical of unsolicited messages—whether by text or mail.
Authorities advise when anything looks odd or overly urgent; this is generally a red signal.
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Klamath Falls officials hope that growing awareness will help prevent locals from becoming victims of scams, which are increasingly common and sophisticated. Always verify through official channels, and when in doubt, reach out to local authorities or agencies for guidance.
