Officials warning drivers about E-Z Pass texting scam to collect tolls for congestion relief zone
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Law enforcement agencies are alerting drivers to be aware of a widespread E-Z Pass scam that has been making the rounds since congestion pricing started.
Officials say scammers, likely based overseas, have flooded phones with official-looking text messages claiming an "unpaid toll invoice" and warning drivers that they could face "excessive late fees on their bill" unless paid.
Officials are warning drivers to be aware of the scams from fictitious names like "NY Toll Services" claiming to collect tolls for the congestion relief zone.
Do not click on any links, they say.
E-ZPass NY said it never asks customers to click a link to pay for tolls.
Communications for E-ZPass NY about a statement or bill will only be sent if you opted in to receive mobile alerts and will only include links to E-ZPassNY.com.
Many drivers are receiving the scam text message, which poses as New York Toll Services saying your vehicle has an unpaid toll invoice.
The message says to avoid excessive late fees on your bill, pay the fee by February 10th with a link and multiple instructions on how to open it.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels President Catherine Sheridan says the New York City public transit agency is vowing to stop them.
"We are outraged that our customers are being targeted by these professional scammers," Sheridan said.
Sheridan says it's also about education, which is why New York State Thruway Authority has released comparison posters showing a side-by-side screenshot of the real text message versus the bogus one.
"We're working with law enforcement to the best of our ability to shut these scammers down and bring them to justice as best we can," Sheridan said.
Drivers commuting to Manhattan from Long Island are sounding off.
"I just assumed it was a scam," Linda Weiss of Long Beach said.
"It just seems like that's the common trend here, You get a lot of those calls, texts, unfortunately, it seems to be something that's more common nowadays," said Leonard Manigbas of Floral Park.
"We live in a society that is just filled with evil people seeking an easy way to get over and this is just another one," said AAA manager Robert Sinclair.
AAA also chimed in with a stark warning.
"The fact that we offer EZ passes and I'm really concerned that our members might get scammed and want them to know and be very diligent that these kinds of things are possible," Sinclair said.
Above all, stay vigilant and go to the Tolls NY app if you have questions about your account. Never click on links.
"We are never going to send you a text that says click on this link to pay your tolls," Sheridan said.
The MTA says you can also block the sender and if you ever feel like you have been scammed, you should go to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center and file a complaint.
##
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
