New York City Congestion Pricing Sparks Scams

New York City's congestion pricing has officially begun, imposing a $9 toll for non-taxi passenger cars entering Manhattan below 60th Street. However, the rollout has coincided with a surge in text scams attempting to collect personal information by falsely claiming unpaid tolls, prompting warnings from E-ZPass New York and Massachusetts officials against such scams. Meanwhile, the NYPD has initiated a crackdown on drivers attempting to evade the tolls, issuing numerous summonses for illegal or obstructed license plates since the pricing began. In response to New York's new fees, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop has proposed a 'reverse congestion pricing' toll, arguing it would fund New Jersey's transit system and impact New Yorkers similarly. Critics of congestion pricing highlight underlying issues such as fare evasion in the MTA system, which costs the city over $700 million annually and contributes to broader crime problems. The first 60 days of congestion pricing will not incur late fees, allowing drivers to verify charges at TollsByMailNY.com before penalties begin.