EZ-Pass citation for car that isn’t mine?

[Anonymous]

I am disputing a Virginia EZ-Pass assessment.

1. I received a late notice for a violation. It was addressed to me at house number that does not exist but is similar to mine

2. The citation relates to a car that isn’t mine, to a MD plate, in fact, when I only have DC-played cars

3. EZ-pass responded to my timely dispute by saying that they could only “process the dispute” if I prove to them that the car noticed is NOT mine

Um—wondering whether they really can require that I have to prove a negative? WTH?

[Anonymous]

What happens if you ignore? It’s not your car right?

Do you have an ez pass account? Is the ticket on your account?

[Anonymous]

I would ask them what proof they would accept that the car isn't yours. Point out the address isn't yours either.

While you shouldn't have to prove anything, you will be miserable if they send this to collections. Easier to clear it up now. If you have a tax or insurance statement listing your vehicles, that might do it.

[Anonymous]

I mean…do they give the tag? It should be easy for them to verify that tag on that car with Maryland plates is registered to someone else. You might have to call and actually talk to someone though.

[Anonymous]

Can they tell you if it was associated with your transponder or if it was from a photo of the plate on a car without a transponder?

[Anonymous]

I agree that collection would be a huge pain, with real negative ripple effects.

I also agree that it should be easy for them to verify. They have the plate identifier

There's a 'go to court' option. I might do that.

--OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can they tell you if it was associated with your transponder or if it was from a photo of the plate on a car without a transponder?

OP again. This is a good question. The photo is nearly fully blacked out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that collection would be a huge pain, with real negative ripple effects.

I also agree that it should be easy for them to verify. They have the plate identifier

There's a 'go to court' option. I might do that.

--OP

Transurban isn't motivated to figure out the truth, just profit. I received $800 in 'fines' when I left our transponder in Boston and used our spare. It was funded, linked to a card, just not used with the vehicle. The actual paid tolls were probably $40, all the rest were fees and fines. They tried for about 4 months with increasingly intense documentation/threats. In the beginning I was ardent in providing proof from my EZ-pass account that I wasn't in violation.

Eventually they tired out and dropped it. Just don't let them scare you - it's a tactic. Lots of info online about them and their practices. Good Luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that collection would be a huge pain, with real negative ripple effects.

I also agree that it should be easy for them to verify. They have the plate identifier

There's a 'go to court' option. I might do that.

--OP

Transurban isn't motivated to figure out the truth, just profit. I received $800 in 'fines' when I left our transponder in Boston and used our spare. It was funded, linked to a card, just not used with the vehicle. The actual paid tolls were probably $40, all the rest were fees and fines. They tried for about 4 months with increasingly intense documentation/threats. In the beginning I was ardent in providing proof from my EZ-pass account that I wasn't in violation.

Eventually they tired out and dropped it. Just don't let them scare you - it's a tactic. Lots of info online about them and their practices. Good Luck.

Thank you. Transurban is the same entity as EZPass, I gather?

[Anonymous]

Wait: your name (common name?), different address, different plates, different state.

Is any of the information about you other than the name? How will they collect from you if none of the information is about you?

Wouldn't they send collections to the wrong address too? If there is no transponder number and the plates in the photo aren't yours, this is just misdirected mail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that collection would be a huge pain, with real negative ripple effects.

I also agree that it should be easy for them to verify. They have the plate identifier

There's a 'go to court' option. I might do that.

--OP

Transurban isn't motivated to figure out the truth, just profit. I received $800 in 'fines' when I left our transponder in Boston and used our spare. It was funded, linked to a card, just not used with the vehicle. The actual paid tolls were probably $40, all the rest were fees and fines. They tried for about 4 months with increasingly intense documentation/threats. In the beginning I was ardent in providing proof from my EZ-pass account that I wasn't in violation.

Eventually they tired out and dropped it. Just don't let them scare you - it's a tactic. Lots of info online about them and their practices. Good Luck.

Thank you. Transurban is the same entity as EZPass, I gather?

No. Transurban runs _some_ toll roads. EZPass is the technology/group used to bill for all toll roads (in this area).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am disputing a Virginia EZ-Pass assessment.

1. I received a late notice for a violation. It was addressed to me at house number that does not exist but is similar to mine

2. The citation relates to a car that isn’t mine, to a MD plate, in fact, when I only have DC-played cars

3. EZ-pass responded to my timely dispute by saying that they could only “process the dispute” if I prove to them that the car noticed is NOT mine

Um—wondering whether they really can require that I have to prove a negative? WTH?

You call and explain that you own no cars with MD plates and that they are charging the wrong person. You give them your DC address and state that you do NOT own any property in MD, so you do NOT have any cars registered in MD. Explain that they need to contact MD MVA to ask them to trace the plate to the home address of the true owner, but that you as a private citizen cannot do this, so you cannot provide them the information that they seek.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait: your name (common name?), different address, different plates, different state.

Is any of the information about you other than the name? How will they collect from you if none of the information is about you?

Wouldn't they send collections to the wrong address too? If there is no transponder number and the plates in the photo aren't yours, this is just misdirected mail.

They use my correct (and unusual) name. They use an address that bears one digit different than mine, to a non-existent address.

[Anonymous]

Identity theft. Someone did this. Check your 3 bureau credit files.