KENNER, La. — The Kenner Police Department says they have seized the fake GeauxPass website, which threatened to fine individuals if a payment was not made.
According to Kenner PD, law enforcement agencies from across the state began receiving complaints about the scam last week.
Individuals received text messages claiming they had unpaid toll fees of $3.75.
"The messages directed recipients to visit the website www.geauxpass.info, threatening a $30.00 fine if the payment was not made," Kenner PD said.
Investigators reviewed the fraudulent site and found that it mimicked the real LA DOTD site, www.geauxpass.com. They also discovered that the fraudulent website is hosted on a server in Russia.
Kenner police worked with the Department of Homeland Security and the National Intellectual Property Rights Center to seize the website.
Police do not know at this time how many individuals may have been scammed. If you have received a similar message or visited the fraudulent site, you are asked to contact your financial institution and report any suspicious activity.
“Please be alert to smishing scams – these crooks weren’t after $3.75. They want your credit card information!” exclaimed Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.