Motorists warned as scammers send out fake CityLink bills

SCAMMERS are sending false CityLink bills in a large-scale attempt to rip off Melbourne motorists.

The email scam involves shysters bombarding accountholders with fake invoices for overdue tolling. Potential victims are told to pay up within five days or be fined $158.57 by Victoria Police.

CityLink has confirmed the emails — which contain no names or registration details — are a rort.

It remains unclear how those behind the rip-off have been able to obtain the email addresses of the account-holders contacted.

Some of the bills contain the same non-existent account numbers.

Small sums are demanded with the threat of police action if they are not covered.

“This is your final payment reminder before the invoice is referred to Victoria Police,” the letter of demand says. A phone number is contained in the emails.

Those who call it are greeted by a professional-sounding message services which explains that lines are busy. It asks for the caller’s number so they can be contacted later.

Similar scams persuade victims to give their bank account details, before fleecing them.

A CityLink spokeswoman said details of the scam were now available in a warning online.

“We take the privacy of our customers very seriously and always let them know about any scams we’re aware of by displaying this information on the CityLink website,” she said.

“If customers are unsure about the authenticity of an email or any other contact claiming to be from CityLink we urge them to get in touch with us.”

Anyone who is unsure about an email has been urged to contact CityLink directly and not to click any links provided in the message.