25.03.2026 13:51
Experts have warned citizens against the increasing HGS fraud following the holiday. Users are panicked by fake "toll fee debt" messages, and their credit card information is being stolen through payment links. Experts emphasize that such messages should never be clicked on and that debt inquiries should only be made through official channels.
Experts warned citizens against "fake debt and toll fee" messages targeting fast pass system (HGS) users.
BEWARE OF HGS DEBT MESSAGES
It has been determined that many citizens traveling between cities received messages from different numbers stating, "An unpaid toll fee has been detected in your HGS account" after the Ramadan Bayram holiday. In these messages, panic was created by emphasizing the "due date," leading users to fake payment links.
Lawyer Sıla Doğan Selvi, who spoke on the subject, stated that during the return from the holiday, messages were sent to citizens' phones saying, "You have HGS debt," "If you do not make a payment, an extra penalty will be imposed," and "Legal action will be taken."
THE PHRASE "LEGAL PROCESS WILL BE INITIATED" GIVES IT AWAY
Selvi noted that some citizens clicked on the links in these fake messages, shared their credit card information, and experienced victimization, saying:
"Recently, a message like this came to one of our client's phones. He panicked and called us before clicking the link. He said, 'I received such a message on my phone, I am forwarding the message to you, can you check it?' When we first looked at the message, we saw that the number was not from any legal source, but was sent from a normal landline. We also saw that the message contained absolutely illegal phrases like 'A legal process will be initiated against you, legal actions will be taken.' In fact, these kinds of phrases are words that indicate these messages are fake. Official institutions do not request fees via SMS and email, nor do they inform you that a fine will be imposed. You may receive a notification through PTT's application, check your e-Government, and your mobile payments from your bank accounts, and do not click on any messages you receive in any way."
“THEY AIM TO COLLECT CREDIT CARD INFORMATION”
Cybersecurity Expert Emrullah Akdemir drew attention to the fact that scammers can closely imitate the websites of official institutions using artificial intelligence technologies. Stating that a large number of fake messages related to HGS have been sent recently, Akdemir noted that citizens are directed to fake links in the message content with the aim of collecting credit card information.
Akdemir warned that the links in the message content should not be opened, saying, "Citizens should absolutely not respond positively or negatively to these messages. The attackers also determine whether that number is active; when you respond to it. Therefore, they can understand that this number is actively used in their databases. Our elderly citizens especially need to be careful against these malicious messages."
Akdemir emphasized that no payment notifications received outside of secure channels should be trusted and that the debt status should only be queried through official state channels.