By Vick Law, P.C. – Estate Planning & Elder Law in Greenwood and Southside Indianapolis
If you’ve received a suspicious text or email about an unpaid toll fee, you’re not alone. A new scam is making the rounds across Indiana, and seniors are among the most targeted. These messages often look like they’re from TxTag or another toll agency—but they’re fake. And the goal is simple: trick people into clicking a link and handing over personal or financial information.
At Vick Law, we work closely with families across Greenwood and Southside Indianapolis to help protect aging loved ones—not just through estate planning and Medicaid strategies, but also through practical guidance on how to avoid financial exploitation. Scams like these are a growing concern, and it’s critical that seniors and their caregivers know what to look for.
What’s Going On with the “TxTag” Scam?
According to Fox59 News, Hoosiers have reported a surge in scam texts and emails claiming to be from tolling authorities like TxTag. These messages often say you owe a toll fee and must pay immediately or face penalties. The link they provide may lead to a very convincing—but fake—payment portal.
What makes this scam particularly tricky is that some messages appear to come from Indiana-based email addresses, making them seem more legitimate.
Why Are Scammers Targeting Seniors?
Older adults are often targeted for a few key reasons:
- They tend to answer calls, emails, and texts more consistently than younger generations.
- They may not be familiar with newer types of fraud, especially tech-based scams.
- They’re more likely to trust official-sounding messages and act quickly to avoid perceived penalties.
Unfortunately, once personal or banking information is shared, the damage can escalate quickly—from unauthorized charges to identity theft.
How Families Can Help Protect Elderly Loved Ones
Here are a few practical tips for protecting seniors from this (and other) scams:
- Educate without overwhelming. Sit down and talk about current scams in a calm, non-alarming way. Use real examples, like this TxTag scam, to make it relatable.
- Encourage a pause. Remind them that no legitimate toll agency or government office demands immediate payment via text or email link.
- Set up a system. Have a plan in place—like calling a trusted family member—before taking action on suspicious messages.
- Use safeguards. Help them block unknown numbers, set up email filters, or even review phone and bank statements together each month.
How Vick Law Can Help
At Vick Law, we understand that protecting your loved one’s finances is just as important as protecting their health or legal rights. That’s why our elder law services are designed with both prevention and long-term planning in mind.
We can help your family:
- Establish legal safeguards, like powers of attorney and trusts, to minimize financial exposure
- Educate caregivers and seniors about scams and financial abuse
- Step in during a crisis, if your loved one has already fallen victim to a scam
- Coordinate with financial institutions or law enforcement if necessary
- Create a comprehensive estate and asset protection plan that shields seniors from future threats
Whether you're worried about scam attempts or just starting to plan for long-term care, we’re here to help you navigate it with clarity and compassion.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. If you're concerned about protecting an aging parent or loved one in the Greenwood or Southside Indianapolis area, reach out to our office today. We can meet one-on-one or offer group presentations for your senior living community, church, or caregiver network.
Let’s work together to keep our elders safe—legally, financially, and emotionally.
Source:
Fox59 News – "Strange toll scam emails appear to originate from Indiana email addresses"
Vick Law, P.C. | Serving Families in Greenwood and Southside Indianapolis with Elder Law, Estate Planning, and Medicaid Planning
www.vicklaw.org | (317) 884-3133
