MetroExpress Fastrak lanes are a popular way to avoid Los Angeles’ notorious traffic jams, and scammers know it.

They target LA drivers, those who use the lanes, and even drivers who don’t. Hackers are sending text messages threatening drivers with hefty fines and even legal action if they don’t tap a link and enter credit card and other personal information.

“In fact, I first saw it through my mother. Because she sent it to me,” Adrian Lara said.

Lara and his family are among the many drivers who received the text message.

“A few days later I got the second message and she told me not to respond because it was basically just a scam,” Lara said.

California’s attorney general first warned about the plan this summer, but now it’s once again sweeping Southern California. Metro is being inundated with calls this week and there’s even a pop-up warning on the homepage telling people not to respond to the text.

“The ExpressLanes system was not hacked and no customer information was compromised. We are also aware that other FasTrak customers in Southern California are being targeted by fraudsters,” Metro said in a statement.

The ExpressLanes scam is just one of many ways hackers are targeting people.

“That sounds pretty believable because everyone drives on highways, you know,” Lara said.

If you receive a text message or email requesting personal or financial information, do not respond. If you have any questions about an issue, it is best to contact the organization directly.

“Just delete the message. Just ignore them, just a scam,” Lara said.