Amid confusion over scams, bill would ban Pa. from using text messages to collect debts

Lawmakers want to ban state agencies from using text messaging to collect debts, saying a recent move by the Pennsylvania Turnpike to collect overdue tolls using that method could cause confusion and put people at greater risk of being scammed.

Rep. Mary Louise Isaacson (D-Philadelphia) said a significant part of the constituent services her office provides involves educating senior citizens and other vulnerable people about text-message scams and how to avoid being a victim. 

“We are constantly trying to help our seniors and our constituents understand that they should never be getting or responding to texts asking for money, that the government does not communicate that way,” Isaacson said Tuesday.

She is prime sponsor of House Bill 2551, which would prohibit state agencies from using “text-based communication” to “collect, or notify an individual about, an unpaid fine, fee, toll or other charge payable.” An amendment would permit agencies to use text messaging if the recipient opted to receive messages from the agency.

Both unanimously passed the House Consumer Protection and Utilities Committee on Tuesday. The amended bill now heads to the House floor for consideration.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission said Tuesday that it has halted a pilot program to collect significant unpaid toll balances through collection agencies that use text messaging to contact customers. 

“Based on initial feedback and until we can more clearly distinguish ourselves from scammers, we have decided not to move forward with the pilot,” spokesperson Marissa Orbanek said.

Orbanek said that while the commission understands the concerns, it is unfortunate the bill could eliminate text messaging as a tool. She called messaging “an effective and accessible tool for mobile-first users.” 

“We will continue working to improve collection efforts and operate within our means to collect unpaid tolls,” Orbanek said. 

Isaacson told the Capital-Star she introduced the measure after reports about the Turnpike Commission’s pilot raised concern that it could cause confusion. 

“We have spent an enormous amount of time and money making sure the public knows to not give their financial information via text, and we certainly don’t want our state agencies utilizing that without somebody’s knowledge and consent, which is the intent of the bill,” she said.

The Turnpike Commission warns on its website that an ongoing “smishing scam” targets people randomly with unsolicited text messages warning of consequences for unpaid tolls. It instructs those  who receive such messages to the U.S. Trade Commission or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. 

It also states that the agency doesn’t directly text EZPass or toll-by-plate customers. Under the pilot, debt collection companies Harris and Harris and TSI would contact customers about significant balances by text message. Those messages included the company’s information and legitimate details of the customer’s account, the site says.