Is this unpaid toll text from Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll) a scam?
Fake unpaid-toll texts are one of the most common scams in Australia right now, and Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll) is a prime target for impersonation. A text, email or toll notice that looks like it's from Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll) can be genuine — but it can just as easily be a scam built to look identical. The good news: a few quick checks almost always tell a real Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll) message from a fake.
Genuine Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll) links only ever go to linkt.com.au, etoll.com.au, eastlink.com.au. Below is exactly what a real Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll) message looks like, the scams currently circulating in its name, the red flags that give a fake away, and a real example to compare against. Got a message in front of you? Check it now for an instant verdict.
What a real Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll) message looks like
Genuine messages from Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll) only ever link to linkt.com.au, etoll.com.au, eastlink.com.au.
- Genuine Linkt and E-Toll notices are sent by email from an address ending in linkt.com.au or etoll.com.au, or by ordinary post to the registered address
- Eastlink statements and reminders are sent from eastlink.com.au addresses or posted; they do not contain clickable payment links in SMS
- Real toll-road communications never ask for immediate payment via an SMS link
- Account holders can view and pay tolls by logging in directly at linkt.com.au, etoll.com.au or eastlink.com.au after typing the address themselves
- Transurban-operated toll notices reference a specific trip date, toll-road name and vehicle registration that match records already held by the driver
Crucially, Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll) will never send a payment link by SMS, or threaten licence suspension or extra fees over a small unpaid toll.
Common Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll) scams
- Unsolicited SMS claiming an unpaid toll with a link to a fake payment page on a domain such as linkt-au.com
- Messages pretending to be from E-Toll that threaten licence suspension or extra fees unless payment is made through the provided link
- Emails or texts using lookalike domains like e-toll.com.co that mimic official branding and direct recipients to enter card details
Red flags to watch for
- SMS messages demanding urgent toll payment with a link — Linkt and E-Toll do not send payment links by text
- Any domain other than linkt.com.au, etoll.com.au or eastlink.com.au, especially those with hyphens, extra words or country-code endings
- Requests to pay immediately to avoid fines or vehicle deregistration
- Messages that do not reference a verifiable trip date or vehicle registration already known to the recipient
Scam text examples
Here's a real example of a scam message impersonating Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll), with the tell-tale red flags highlighted. Compare it against anything you've received.
Toll Road Alert: Unpaid toll of $8.90 detected on M7. Pay now to avoid $75 late fee: https://linkt-au.com/pay
What gives it away:
- SMS messages demanding urgent toll payment with a link — Linkt and E-Toll do not send payment links by text
- Any domain other than linkt.com.au, etoll.com.au or eastlink.com.au, especially those with hyphens, extra words or country-code endings
- Requests to pay immediately to avoid fines or vehicle deregistration
- Messages that do not reference a verifiable trip date or vehicle registration already known to the recipient
Not sure about your message?
Paste the suspicious Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll) text or email and get an instant scam verdict, free.
How to verify a message from Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll)
- Log in at linkt.com.au after typing the address yourself
- Log in at etoll.com.au after typing the address yourself
- Log in at eastlink.com.au after typing the address yourself
Where to report a scam impersonating Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll)
Received — or fell for — a message impersonating Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll)? Report it. It helps authorities and carriers shut the campaign down for everyone who gets the next one.
- Scamwatch — Report the scam to the ACCC's national scam service.
- ReportCyber — Report cybercrime and financial loss to the police.
- ACMA — Report scam texts and spam SMS or calls.
- Forward to 7226 (SPAM) — Forward the scam SMS to short code 7226 so your carrier can block the source.
- IDCARE — Free identity and cyber support if your details were taken.
Frequently asked questions
I got a text from Linkt about an unpaid toll with a link — is it a scam?
Yes. Linkt does not send SMS messages containing payment links. Delete the message and log in directly at linkt.com.au to check your account.
How do I know if a Toll Road or E-Toll email is real?
Check the sender domain ends exactly in linkt.com.au or etoll.com.au and never click links; instead type the official address into your browser and log in to view any outstanding tolls.
What should I do if I received a fake toll notice?
Do not click any links or enter payment details. Report the message to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au and, if personal details were given, contact IDCARE on 1300 432 273.
Related scam types
Scams impersonating Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll) usually fit one of these patterns. Learn how each works:
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice — always verify with Toll Road (Linkt/E-Toll) through an official channel.