An onslaught of unsolicited texts to Americans’ phones in recent months claiming they owe unpaid tolls and E-ZPass bills is more than an annoyance.

But it never sends text messages requesting payment. "So, that's your first clue," HCTRA Assistant Director of Communications Tracy Jackson said. "If you get a text message from somebody claiming to be from HCTRA,

Have you received a text message stating that you have unpaid tolls in Texas? The Harris County Toll Road Authority says to do this before engaging with it.

State officials are warning Americans not to respond to a surge of scam road toll collection texts. The texts impersonating state road toll collection agencies attempt to get phone users to reveal financial information,

The agency said that so far in March, it's received more than 1,500 complaints about the texts.