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ATAC/Rome Ticket Validation Text Scam

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I got a text today after exploring Rome on foot with my siblings. We hadn’t ridden any public transit since yesterday when we arrived in the city from Florence. Thankfully - otherwise I would’ve fallen for this!

“ Attenzione, il tuo viaggio non è stato convalidato. Conferma entro due ore per evitare la multa: https://romeatac.my/pay”

Translated it means “ Please note that your trip has not been validated. Confirmation within two hours to avoid fine: https://romeatac.my/pay”

There are so many horror stories about getting fined for not validating tickets in Rome, and the link looked legit, so I opened it. The site looks very realistic and gives you options to pay by card or PayPal. Thank GOD I hadn’t ridden any transit so I thought it might be a scam- I searched online and just yesterday ATAC posted an article about fake SMS messages circulating with similar messaging.
ATAC they never send SMS messages related to TAP&GO validations for payments.

Wanted to share this here since I consider myself a decently savvy traveler and almost fell for it! ATAC’s official website has a Roma.it address.

Posted by
7372 posts

I dont understand this. How can a tap and go reader have access to a person's contact information?

Posted by
3153 posts

Of course it can't have that info. This is no different than the EZ Pass or unpaid ticket text scams in the U.S. Why should it be any different there? All they need is a phone number, which they can generate.

Posted by
416 posts

How can a tap and go reader have access to a person's contact information?

Probably because OP installed the ATAC Roma app (to check their taps in real time) ... https://www.atac.roma.it/en/tickets-and-passes/atac-roma-app

If the OP hasn’t installed this, it simply involves sending text messages to the phones present in Rome (there is software available for this).

The warning by ATAC here https://www.atac.roma.it/en/media/news/2026/05/21/fake-tap-go-sms-scam--atac-warns-customers-against-phishing-attempt

Posted by
2 posts

I haven't downloaded the app nor done any booking/bus riding with them. Just Omio/OBB/Trenitalia! Hopefully they’re not selling my data lol.

Posted by
754 posts

Thanks so much for sharing this! I’ll be in Rome this September and I plan to use metro and tram, so I’ll be extra careful.

Posted by
118 posts

This happened to me in Milan just two weeks ago! I didn't have the app installed but I did ride the metro. I had trouble tapping in at one station, even though it worked just fine earlier in the day. I noticed a few other people were also having trouble. I had to use my physical credit card to tap in. A short time later I got the text message warning me "Milano Errore TAP-OUT. Salda le spese di gestione di Euro 1,50 entro 30 minuti per evitare l'addebito massimo" (omitting evil URL) which translates to "Milan Tap-Out Error. Pay the Euro 1.50 handling fee within 30 minutes to avoid the maximum charge". It didn't sound right to me. Why only 30 minutes? And I had to have tapped out since that's the only way to get the gate open to enter/exit. I googled it and saw it was a scam. Still left me unnerved. Later that day I was able to tap in/out with the phone and didn't have any further problems. It's best to be wary about any unexpected communications (text/email/phone calls).

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