Scam. Beware of text message scams from Ulys toll road users on their way to the holidays.
On social media, dozens of internet users have reported receiving a text message (or email) purportedly from Ulys, a platform offering an electronic toll collection service, instructing them to settle an outstanding balance via a fraudulent link. Here's what you need to know to avoid being scammed.
It's time for the French roads to cross paths between July and August holidaymakers. While you're advised to be extremely vigilant upon arrival, be equally cautious with... your smartphone. For several weeks, motorists have been receiving fraudulent text messages from Ulys toll company. A phishing attempt by scammers to steal your bank details.
Ulys does exist: it's a mobility services and payment platform, a subsidiary of Vinci Autoroutes. Since December 2024, free-flow tolls have been installed on the French motorway network.
Several companies victims of usurpationFor a monthly subscription, a motorist can use these electronic toll booths, which have no physical barriers thanks to "automatic license plate recognition technology," thus saving the driver time and making the journey smoother. Depending on the contract, the motorist is either directly charged the toll amount or receives an invoice and has 72 hours to pay.
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But like Doctolib , La Poste, delivery companies , or even ANTAI , the administrative service for collecting fines, Ulys is not immune to hackers usurping its identity in order to trap its customers. Several motorists have reported receiving a text message (or an email) telling them that "a balance of 6.80 euros remains unpaid (sic)" and urging them to regularize their situation as quickly as possible via a link distributed in the same message (https://ulis-payement.com or https://fr-ulys-peage.com).
This is actually a fake website where you are asked to enter your bank details in order to steal them. "You may receive fraudulent emails or text messages imitating Ulys or Vinci Autoroutes emails/text messages (colors, logo, etc.).
"We don't use 06 numbers."The hackers behind these campaigns are trying to collect personal information […],” the company stated on its website ( https://ulys.com ). “We urge you not to respond to these fraudulent emails/text messages and not to click on any links or attachments they may contain,” it then urged, specifying that it had not been the subject of any data leak.
These text messages generally come from numbers beginning with 06 or 07 (the text messages are identified as "Vinci" or "36035". We do not use "06" or "07" numbers, Ulys warns on his website) and mention small amounts to be paid, more likely to trigger the regularization act and less likely to be contested by the trapped person.
Verify email addressIf you have received an email, Ulys advises you to check the sender's email address carefully, because "a Ulys or Vinci Autoroutes email will always end with the following domain names: @ulys.com; @vinci-autoroutes.com; @services.ulys.com; @clients.ulys.com; @contact.ulys.com; @email.vinci-autoroutes.com; @e.ulys.vinci-autoroutes.com; @enquete.vinci-autoroutes.com."
In addition, the company specifies that "we will never ask you to provide your username or password. A credit card number should only be entered on an authenticated secure banking site."
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