nytollservices com
Watch Out for NYTollServices—It’s a Scam, Not a Real Toll Notice
If you’ve gotten a text saying you owe $5.89 for a New York toll, don’t pay it. That message isn’t from E-ZPass or Tolls by Mail—it’s a scam using a fake site called nytollservices.com. Here’s what’s really going on and how to avoid getting ripped off.
What Is “NYTollServices” Supposed to Be?
At first glance, the name sounds legit. “NYTollServices” sounds like it could be connected to the New York Thruway or MTA. That’s exactly why it works. But it’s not tied to E-ZPass, the official Tolls by Mail system, or any state agency.
Scammers are sending out texts that look official. They say you’ve got an unpaid toll and you’ll face extra fees unless you pay immediately. The link they give leads to nytollservices.com, which looks clean, minimal, and convincing—like it was built to copy an actual government site. But it’s 100% fake.
How the Scam Works
The texts usually say you owe something small—around $5.89. That number isn’t random. It’s just low enough to fly under your radar. Most people would rather pay a few bucks than risk a $150 fine or worse. That’s the trap.
The link in the message sends you to a fake payment page. It might ask for your credit card, billing address, or even your E-ZPass login. The site doesn’t validate anything. It just collects your info.
Once scammers get what they need, they can hit your card with charges or resell your data. Some people reported multiple unauthorized payments. Others ended up dealing with identity theft issues for months.
Why People Fall for It
Because it’s realistic. That’s what makes this one different from the usual “Nigerian prince” stuff. People in New York are used to E-ZPass. They’re used to Tolls by Mail. They’ve seen congestion pricing, automatic billing from license plate readers, and online notices for missed payments.
So when someone gets a message saying they owe a small toll from last week, it doesn’t seem suspicious. It feels like something you might’ve actually missed. And when the message says you could be fined or penalized if you ignore it, most people don’t double-check. They just pay.
What the Real Agencies Are Saying
The New York State Thruway Authority, the MTA, and even news outlets like PIX11 and Democrat & Chronicle have been warning about this for months. Their advice is simple: E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail do not send payment requests by text message.
If you have tolls to pay, they’ll either show up in your online E-ZPass or Tolls by Mail account, or they’ll send you a notice in the mail. That’s it. They don’t chase you via SMS. And they definitely don’t ask you to pay through a weird third-party website.
How to Spot the Red Flags
If a text message says you owe money for a toll, pause before clicking anything. Real toll services don’t behave like debt collectors.
Look at the sender. Is it a random number or a weird email address? That’s already a bad sign. Is the link going to a website other than ezpassny.com or tollsbymailny.com? Another red flag.
The message will usually try to sound urgent—"Pay now or be fined." That’s a classic scam tactic. The real agencies don’t threaten you with $150 fines through vague text messages.
What Happens If You Get Tricked?
Some people have reported unauthorized charges not just once, but multiple times. Others found their email or bank accounts getting weird activity after handing over their information.
Even if you only gave them your card number and nothing else, that’s still enough for fraud. And if you entered E-ZPass credentials, scammers could potentially access your real toll history and account data.
The damage ranges from annoying to expensive. Best case, you cancel your card and move on. Worst case, you're dealing with stolen info that keeps popping up for months.
The Site Keeps Coming Back
Security experts and users have flagged nytollservices.com multiple times. And it still keeps showing up. Sometimes it goes offline for a bit, but then comes back with a slightly tweaked look. Each time, it gets more polished.
It doesn’t just look like a scam thrown together overnight. The site is well built, mobile-friendly, and designed to seem trustworthy. That’s why it catches so many people.
What You Should Do Instead
If you think you actually owe a toll, don’t trust any message that shows up out of nowhere. Go straight to the official E-ZPass NY or Tolls by Mail NY websites. Log in there and check your balance. If something’s off, call their official customer service numbers. Don’t trust anything in the message.
If you already gave away info, contact your bank immediately. Cancel the card. Watch your accounts. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission and the New York State Consumer Protection division. Every report helps build a case against these fake sites.
Who to Trust (And Who Not To)
Trust:
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ezpassny.com – This is the official E-ZPass site for New York.
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tollsbymailny.com – This is the real site for paying tolls by mail.
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Paper notices you receive from the MTA or NYS Thruway Authority.
Don’t trust:
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Anything from nytollservices.com
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Texts with vague warnings, unusual urgency, or typos
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Links that don’t clearly match official government domains
Final Thoughts
The “NYTollServices” scam is a perfect storm of clever branding, timing, and familiarity. It preys on the fact that real tolls in New York are confusing and that people expect some form of digital notice.
But toll agencies don’t hunt you down with sketchy texts. They operate through accounts, mailed invoices, and official portals. If a message feels off—even just a little—don’t take the bait.
If the text says you owe exactly $5.89 and links to anything other than ezpassny.com or tollsbymailny.com? Delete it. It’s a scam. Every time.
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