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How many bogus and threatening texts have you received in the last week over unpaid tolls?

I know I have had at least three, and the scammers appear to be getting better. At first, the texts had actual dollar amounts that I supposedly owed. The amounts didn’t make sense, and the links had the wrong URL for .

The bad guys are now including the real ! URL in their messages, which are threatening legal action if you don’t respond. The URL is followed by a bunch of random letters, which is a dead giveaway, but these texts are looking more and more real.

This latest scam asked me to reply with a Y, for yes, to the text and then copy the URL and put it in my web browser.

Remember, the state tolling division does not send payment requests by text. They certainly don’t threaten you with legal action. Do not be fooled. Delete and report them immediately.

Related on MyNorthwest: WSDOT warning ‘Good to Go’ customers of more scams via text message

WA underfunding road maintenance — again

Now that we know how to detect Good To Go! scams, it’s time to look at how legislators in Olympia have chosen to under-fund maintenance and preservation on the roads. Washington ranks No. 47 out of 50 states for overall cost-effectiveness and condition of a state’s roads, according to the latest , a libertarian think tank.

Please tell me if this sounds familiar to my reporting earlier this year: Washington ranks dead last in this survey when it comes to spending money on maintaining our roads. As we have talked about a lot lately, the state Legislature has made it a point to under-fund maintenance and preservation in our state. The funding runs approximately a billion dollars under what’s necessary every year.

Washington was No. 35 on this list just six years ago.

Related on MyNorthwest: Washington faces transportation funding crisis but road usage charge still iffy proposition

Worst commute in WA

The last thing on my list I wanted to discuss is determining the worst commute in the state.

I know I could come up with a decent list for this, but a revealed the worst commute in every state. It was pitched as what commute makes you rethink your life choices.

The worst in Washington, according to this survey, is the commute between Seattle and Bellevue on the State Route 520 Floating Bridge. I’m not sure if that’s related to the 20 years of construction or just the trip.

Second on the list was anywhere on Interstate 5 between Tacoma and Everett.

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