the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New York NY, with congestion pricing now in full swing in Manhattan, a new risk has emerged for drivers: phishing scams posing as legitimate tolling agencies. Scammers are leveraging the increased toll activity to trick unsuspecting drivers into divulging sensitive information or making fraudulent payments.
The Rise of Toll Phishing Scams
Even before congestion pricing officially began on January 5, New York’s Tolls by Mail system warned of a text-message scam. Fraudulent messages from “NY Tolls Services” have been targeting drivers, claiming to collect unpaid tolls.
Important Reminder:
- E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail New York will never ask for personal information like your Social Security number, date of birth, or login details.
- Suspicious emails or texts may contain urgent calls to action, misspellings, or unusual URLs.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has assured drivers that no fines or late fees will be charged during the first 60 days of congestion pricing. This grace period means drivers should be cautious of any messages claiming they owe money beyond the base congestion charge.
Congestion Pricing Breakdown
Here’s how the MTA’s congestion pricing system works for vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street:
- Base toll for passenger vehicles: $9 during daytime hours (weekdays 5 a.m.–9 p.m., weekends 9 a.m.–9 p.m.).
- Overnight discount: 75% off, reducing tolls to $2.25.
- Truck tolls: $14.40 for smaller trucks; $21.60 for larger trucks.
- Motorcycle tolls: $4.50.
- Surcharges:
- Yellow and green taxis: $0.75.
- For-hire vehicles (Uber, Lyft, etc.): $1.50.
Drivers without an E-ZPass will pay 50% more. The MTA encourages E-ZPass enrollment for a 25% discount and more convenient billing.
How to Spot a Phishing Scam
To protect yourself from phishing scams, Tolls by Mail New York offers these tips:
- Examine emails carefully: Be wary of messages from unknown senders and avoid clicking on links.
- Look for red flags: Scam emails often feature:
- Urgent requests to avoid fees or penalties.
- URLs with unusual numbers or symbols.
- Misspellings or poor grammar.
- Verify through official channels: If unsure about a message, go directly to TollsByMailNY.com instead of clicking links in the email.
Suspicious emails can be forwarded to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov without altering the subject line.
How to Legitimately Pay for Tolls
All MTA tolling facilities are cashless. Payments are processed in the following ways:
- E-ZPass users: Charges are automatically deducted.
- Non-E-ZPass users: Bills are mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner.
Drivers can pay tolls:
- Online at TollsByMailNY.com.
- By phone: 844-826-8400.
- In person: At authorized payment locations using checks, credit/debit cards, or cash.
The MTA encourages drivers to sign up for E-ZPass for easier payment and a 25% discount on tolls.
Stay Safe and Informed
As congestion pricing rolls out, remain vigilant against phishing scams. Always double-check payment requests and only use official payment channels. For more information about congestion pricing and toll payment options, visit the MTA or Tolls by Mail websites.
Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: Onlyonesmallvoice@gmail.com