MassDOT Alerts Customers of EZDriveMA Scam

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BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is warning EZDriveMA customers of a text message-based scam, also known as smishing.

The scammers are claiming to represent the tolling agency and requesting payment for unpaid tolls. 

The targeted phone numbers seem to be chosen at random and are not uniquely associated with an account or usage of toll roads. Customers who receive an unsolicited text, email, or similar message suggesting it is from EZDriveMA or another toll agency should not click on the link. 

MassDOT is underscoring that:  

  • EZDriveMA will never request payment by text.
  • All links associated with EZDriveMA will include www.EZDriveMA.com

The EZDrive smishing scam is part of a?series of smishing scams?that the FBI is aware of. The FBI recommends individuals that receive the fraudulent messages do the following: 

  1. File a complaint with the IC3,?www.ic3.gov, be sure to include:
    1. The phone number from where the text originated. 
    2. The website listed within the text. 
  2. Check your account using the toll service's legitimate website. 
  3. Contact the toll service's customer service phone number at (877) 627-7745. 
  4. Delete any smishing texts received. 
  5. If you clicked any link or provided your information, take efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts. Dispute any unfamiliar charges. 

MassDOT encourages all customers to stay alert to these types of scams and to contact us at?www.EZDriveMA.com?with any questions about EZDriveMA notifications. 


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MassDEP Talks Pollution Plans for Pontoosuc Lake

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The state Department of Environmental Protection has some options for restore a polluted Pontoosuc Lake back to health.
 
These were reviewed last Wednesday at a public information session.
 
Holly Brown, an analyst with MassDEP's Watershed Planning Program, said the lake is showing signs of nutrient pollution and eutrophication — a condition which promotes algae blooms, fish kills and dead zones — and cited recent algae blooms that resulted in public health advisories.
 
Matt Ladewig, principal scientist with TRC Companies of Windsor, Conn., explained the two different avenues Pittsfield and Lanesborough can take to help restore Pontoosuc Lake.
 
The two potential avenues include determining the lakes capacity for pollution (Total Maximum Daily Load) and developing a Nine Element Wastershed-based plan.
 
"The TMDL process is more formal and allocates pollutant loads to contributing point and non-point services in a way that will allow the water body to meet water quality standards," said Ladewig. 
 
A TMDL plan would identify the impairment, the causes and the pollutant load reductions. Following public comments, it would have to approved by the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection Agency to be eligible for grants. 
 
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