I'll start out by saying that I've visited NYC only two times, in my entire life. First time was with my parents, so I was told, in 1954. The second time was in the summer of 1977. However, this fact hasn't stopped the NYC parking police and the NYC "congestion reduction zone" monitors from trying to slap me with various fines for violating their rules.

The first episode occurred in early 2025, when I received a notice that I had illegally parked in a "no parking bus lane", somewhere in one of the boroughs of the city. As "proof", they sent me a picture of a white Jeep Wrangler, with a license plate that has 3 letters that happen to be my initials, and followed by 4 numbers. Problem is, along with me not being anywhere near the area, as I live 300 miles away, my Jeep is black, a Grand Cherokee, with a custom license plate that has just 3 letters, my initials. I was able to fix this deal by going to my local Police Department who generated a note that I could send to NYC, attesting to the fact that they're tagging the wrong vehicle and/or owner. This worked, and I haven't heard anything about it since.

Episode two happened a couple of months later, and continues to drag on. I then received another notice that I had driven under an "E-Z pass scanner", heading into a "congestion reduction zone", and since I don't have an E-Z Pass transmitter, I triggered the violation camera. Problem is, once again, it wasn't me. Once again, they sent me an "off-centered image" of a license plate that slightly resembles mine, doesn't contain all of the digits, since it's off center, and no clue whatsoever, what kind of car it is.

I've called their "customer service hotline" 3 separate times, explaining that it's not my plate, who knows what kind of car it is, and I haven't been to NYC in 48 years. The reps I speak with all look carefully at the image of the plate that supposedly is mine, agree that it isn't, assign a "case number" to my claim, promise that this will "take care of it", but without any resolution. In fact, I'm now being threatened with this going to "collections", with possible suspension of my drivers license and/or license plates.

A couple of days ago, I sent yet another picture to them, of my actual license plate, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Anybody else run into this "bureaucratic BS", and if so, how were you able to deal with it??

 

Let me start out by saying for some reason known only to the all mighty I have lived in this city for 72 + years. All of those years on the south shore of Staten Island. The quality of life even here has been on a steady decline. I understand your frustration and really don't have a solution. I will give you my own experiences as to why you're having so much trouble resolving you issue. First let me say unfortunately 50% of the people who live here don't what change for the better. Just look at election results. As far as NY DMV goes two years ago I transferred my license plates from my old car to my new car. I still get emails from the DMV to renew the registration for my old car with the plate number that is currently on the new car with a renewed two year registration. The system doesn't recognize the plate transfer. For two years no less. The city generates revenue by putting red light and speed cameras all over. They artificially lower the speed limit on high traveled main roads and put speed cameras on blind corners, downhills, and school zones where the speed limit is even lower. It takes 30 - 40 minutes to travel 8 miles. As far as your congested area fine goes the hope is you'll give in and pay it. Everything in this city is intentionally stonewalled. Manhattan is to avoided with a motor vehicle. The next problem is public transportation isn't safe. The bottom line IMCO is stay away unless it's absolutely necessary. Sorry for the rant. It will take way to much energy than it should but don't give in and pay.
Good Luck!

 

Thanks for the reply.....I hate to say it, but I'm gaining the impression that I'm "pi**ing into the wind" on this deal, and probably will regret that I didn't just pay the GD fine, when it was only $10. However, in the back of my mind, I felt that if I did, I'd make then think I was a sucker, and this scenario would repeat itself, over and over....

 

Don't do stuff via phone, send your proof that it is not you via registered mail along with a cease and desist letter for taking any action against you. Use AI for help.

 

Not to hijack this thread, but hi neighbor! We probably live blocks apart.

And yes, don’t drive in NYC. I escape to NJ. No issues with EZPass. After Covid they changed vendors and closed the office we had here. They cheaped out.

As for the dilemma at hand, somebody’s got a plate that’s really similar to yours. It’s happened a few times recently to other people. Their plates are similar to others and they get dinged for fines. It’s usually sorted out with proper documentation. It’s very stupid but what can you do….Good luck.

 

Good suggestion!

 

As much as it stinks I’d probably just swap plates. NY and NYC in particular is now an un-livable dump. If you live in the state, vote Blakeman. Cruella’s gotta go at this point.

 

I agree, and in the last election, I voted for Lee.

With respect to my original post, I sent a second photo of my actual plate to the 'Tolls By Mail' people, and it appears that I finally got through to them. In return, they sent me a "bill" with a zero balance noted on it.

 

Wait. The camera ticket revenue is about to explode. The socialist mayor has proposed a 15 MPH school zone speed limit 24 hours a day 7 days a week. On top of that a 20 MPH city speed limit across all 5 boroughs. Of course that doesn't include the proposed almost 10% real estate tax hike. This is the guy who ran on "affordability".
Almost takes the sting out of that "congestion pricing" toll.

 

 

The speed cameras where originally sold as a safety measure for school zones. Then they went citywide. Then 24/7/365. Then the speed was lowered from 30 to 25. When all of those measures resulted in SAFER driving. Revenue (what they really want) declined. Now they lower the speed to 15. What next? 10? 5? Idling pace?

Reminds me of when NYS sued WAZE for having police locations on there App….And lost

My wife has 8 years to go for her pension. We are gone the day she retires.

Complete scam

 

"March 21, 2028. New York's mayor has announced new penalties for anyone allowing their horse to gallop within city limits"

 

Not sure if I've been living under a rock, but I haven't heard that commie dirt bag talk about those speed limits...yes, I have heard about his BS property tax hike. Glad I moved out to the Island (not far enough away probably) but I'm in the city everyday.

 

Not sure if I've been living under a rock, but I haven't heard that commie dirt bag talk about those speed limits...yes, I have heard about his BS property tax hike. Glad I moved out to the Island (not far enough away probably) but I'm in the city everyday.

 

I’m not trying to get into a political argument here.
This is just my opinion and observations.

I grew up in Queens. Joined the military, served 4 years and came back. I’m currently 54 yo, I lived in Queens until I met my wife when I was 30. I was a civil servant in NYC for 26 years and worked in every borough throughout my career. My wife is a Long Island girl and I moved to Nassau County when we got married and bought our first home. So I have been up close and personal personal with both for a long time.

NYC is currently a complete different world than I have ever seen. I saw NYC through the Koch & Dinkins administrations. I know what terrible conditions those were. It went through a drastic change. And became an amazing place. Then DiBlasio happened he begin the destruction (and move to…….Long Island/Hamptons as soon as his term ended). Next was Adams, he was a democrat but had some sense. They ran him out because he was not radical enough (yes his own party did, it’s single party rule in nyc). Now we have the current Mayor who is here to complete the destruction.

Nassau & Suffolk (Long Island) has remained beautiful due to some sensible democrats and a balance. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY we have elected Republicans recently to stop the insanity. Now what is going to happen out here? Well, people who flee the City need to recognize what they are fleeing. And don't vote those same lunatics in out here. I’m outta here in 8 years when the wife is finished working. CORVETTE weather here we come!

Blakeman probably will lose the Gov. race. But then we get to keep him. And for us that’s a good thing.

“Now Bruce can we get some of these roads paved smooth? So I can cruise all summer in my ZO6?”
LOL