Motorway Toll Scams on the Rise in France After Holiday Weekend
Drivers in France are being warned about an increase in phishing scams involving fake messages purporting to come from Ulys, the motorway toll payment service of Vinci Autoroutes, according to a report by Connexion France. The warning comes after the long Ascension weekend, when millions of motorists were on the road and may be more susceptible to falling for the fake messages claiming unpaid tolls.
The scam takes the form of emails or text messages stating that a small sum, a few euros, is owed for motorway usage. Victims are urged to make their payment via a link that appears to lead to the Ulys website, but is in fact a convincing fake. The mails mimic the look and feel of real Ulys and Vinci Autoroutes emails, including the company logos and colours. One fraudulent site to which they link used the address ulys-fr.com – a subtle variation on the legitimate ulys.com.
According to Connexion France, in some cases, messages are sent via mobile numbers beginning with +33 6, which may appear odd but do not always trigger suspicion, particularly if the victim is distracted by the scammers’ pressure tactics. Indeed, fraudulent sites often apply such tactics, threatening account suspension or fines if action is not taken immediately.
Vinci has previously advised in a statement that it is the target of an “extensive phishing campaign,” primarily via email. The messages are designed to trick users into providing personal and bank details. The company advises checking the sender address carefully. Connexion France reports that emails from Ulys or Vinci Autoroutes always end in one of the following domains:
* @vinci-autoroutes.com
* @services.ulys.com
* @clients.ulys.com
* @contact.ulys.com
* @email.vinci-autoroutes.com
* @e.ulys.vinci-autoroutes.com
* @enquete.vinci-autoroutes.com
If you have received a suspicious message claiming to be from Ulys or Vinci Autoroutes, Connexion France advises that you can forward it to [email protected] (with “alerte phishing” in the subject line). Phishing attempts can also be reported to the French government’s cybercrime platform at internet-signalement.gouv.fr. Spam text messages can be reported by sending a screenshot of the message to 33700.
The images used in the scam are convincing, with Connexion France reporting that the fake messages mimic the look of real Ulys and Vinci Autoroutes emails, including company logos and colours, as reported by Ekaterina Pokrovsky/Shutterstock.
In related news, motorists are advised to be cautious when using motorway toll services and to always verify the authenticity of any messages claiming to be from Ulys or Vinci Autoroutes. As Connexion France notes, it is essential to be aware of the risks of phishing scams and to take steps to protect yourself from falling victim to these types of crimes.
For more information on how to avoid motorway toll scams and to stay safe on French roads, visit Connexion France for the latest news and advice.
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