Brazil adopts license plate toll payments amid Free Flow scams

New technologies are transforming toll payments for truckers in Brazil. A system using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) allows for mandatory toll vouchers to be processed via vehicle license plates, removing the necessity for physical tags on windshields. This method, approved by the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT), allows transport companies to pre-register trip details and credit toll values before departure. Roadcard has already had its operational model approved, while Move Mais is currently testing a similar solution.

However, the expansion of the Free Flow system—which uses electronic gantries instead of physical barriers—has led to an increase in fraudulent activity. Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has identified 480 fraudulent domains designed to mimic official toll payment platforms. These scams typically target drivers searching for ways to pay tolls online, using fake websites to solicit payments via Pix by displaying realistic vehicle data and low debt amounts.