E-ZPass scammers try to cash in on NYC congestion pricing with phony text-message shakedown
It would be EZ to fall for this.
State transportation officials are warning motorists not to be taken in by an E-ZPass scam that’s been making the rounds since the MTA’s controversial congestion pricing plan hit the Big Apple last month.
The scammers send text messages that claim to be official, citing an “unpaid toll invoice” and warning that unless the bill is paid soon drivers could face “excessive late fees on your bill.”
Transportation officials are warning residents not to fall for it.
“We have recently learned of a SMS text message scam being presented as an attempt to collect tolls for the Congestion Relief Zone, formally known as the Central Business District Tolling Program,” an alert on the official E-ZPass website reads.
“Some of these messages reference the ‘NY Toll Services’” while others are using other fictitious names,” the alert says. “Please be advised this is NOT an authorized communication from EZPass or the toll agencies associated with EZPass.
“We advise you NOT to access the website contained within the message if you should receive one.”
The scam appears to try to take advantage of the rollout of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s congestion pricing plan, which launched on Jan. 5, causing frustration and confusion among drivers who motor into Manhattan.
The state-sponsored plan slaps a $9 toll on cars entering Manhattan below 61st Street during peak hours in order to ease Midtown congestion and raise money for MTA capital projects.
The scammers are now trying to take another bite out of drivers’ wallets.
“My hope was the MTA would issue a warning via email to all E-ZPass users to beware of scam texts and not click any such links,” Corey Bearak, senior policy advisor for the group Keep NYC Congestion Tax Free told The Post on Wednesday.
“To date that has not happened,” Bearak said. “Is the MTA too busy planning to explain why they fail to disclose Congestion Pricing Tax revenues?”
Other transportation agencies and authorities that operate with E-ZPass have also issued warnings, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the New York State Thruway Authority.
Another warning came from Westchester County DA Susan Cacace this week.
Meanwhile, E-ZPass is advising potential scam victims to take action.
Transportation officials noted that the real E-ZPass will never ask for “personally identifiable information” like a social security number or even a date of birth, the notice said.
“Real communications from E-ZPass New York will only refer customers to the following official websites: EZPassNYcom and TollsByMailY.com,” the E-ZPass alert said. “If you receive this fraudulent SMS and would like to file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center visit http://www.ic3.gov.”;
The MTA did mot immediately respond to a request for comment.
