Georgia Lawmakers Debate Key Legislation as 2025 Session Nears Final Weeks
Staff Report On Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025, my legislative colleagues and I returned to the Gold Dome for Legislative Day
Since March 1st, the number of complaints to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reporting smishing texts from Georgia’s electronic toll collection system, Peach Pass, has jumped dramatically.
IC3 reports there have been 1573 complaints in March so far. That compares to 1720 complaints for the 14 month period between January 1st, 2024, and February 28th, 2025. Reported losses currently stand at $3,643.42. The actual number of victims is believed to be much larger.
The texts claim the recipient owes money for unpaid tolls and contain almost identical language. The “outstanding toll amount” is similar among the complaints reported to the IC3. However, the link provided within the text is created to impersonate the state’s toll service name, and phone numbers appear to change between states.
If you receive one of these texts, the following is suggested:
Definition for Smishing: A social engineering attack using fake text messages to trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information, or sending money to cybercriminals. “Smishing” combines “SMS"—or “short message service,” and “phishing.” “Phishing” generally pertains to attacks on the Internet, email, or websites.