So she did exactly what the DOT's heads-up had told the public to do if they receive such a message.

"I immediately reported it to my mobile carrier. I did not click on any links," she said, adding that she would never give out personal or banking information when receiving a request via text message, email, or phone call.

If you know even the basics of cyber security, then you know "phishing" refers to the use of deceptive tactics online to trick someone into divulging sensitive information, such as by clicking a link in an untrustworthy email. When fraudsters use those tactics via texting -- i.e., short message service, or SMS -- that's called a "smishing" scam.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation said it was advised that an unknown number of Granite Staters are being targeted by an apparent smishing scam. It resembles cases that have been reported in other states in recent months, but the local messages are tailored to New Hampshire residents.

"It looks realistic, however the typos are obvious," Lane said.

In this case, it seems the scammers are targeting phone numbers with 603 area codes, without any apparent insight into whether a number is affiliated with any of the state's roughly 588,000 E-ZPass accounts, she said.

"Another employee in the office that does not have an E-ZPass received (a smishing message) as well," she added.

New Hampshire's E-ZPass will never send text messages requesting payment for tolls with late fees, according to the DOT's message. Account holders should instead use the official NH Turnpike E-ZPass website or the NH E-ZPass mobile app.

If you receive a smishing text, you can alert your phone carrier by forwarding the suspicious message to 7726 (SPAM) and you can file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, the DOT noted.