FCA Toll Evasion

Have you spotted cars with covered or obscured license plates dodging tolls?  Are you frustrated by scammers who cover their license plates while you pay your fair share? Are you enjoying the decrease in traffic thanks to congestion pricing, but concerned by the thieves who are covering their license plates and failing to contribute to the common good?

If so, snap some photos and contact Pollock Cohen LLP.  New York’s False Claims Act allows whistleblowers like you to take action against toll evaders. You could earn a substantial share of the state’s recovery while helping to hold fraudsters accountable.

Tens of millions of dollars stolen every year

Covering or obscuring license plates to evade tolls is illegal. And it is a significant issue in New York, leading to substantial revenue losses for the state's transportation agencies. The Manhattan Borough President estimated that so-called “ghost plates” cost the City $200 million a year.  These losses not only undermine the financial stability of the state's transportation infrastructure but also place an unfair burden on law-abiding citizens who comply with toll regulations.

The ordinary laws aren’t strict enough 

Effective September 2024, the newly-amended state law prohibits covering a license plate with any material that conceals or distorts the plate's visibility to traffic cameras or electronic toll readers. Fines for violations have been increased to a range of $100 to $500. Repeat offenders with three or more convictions within five years may face a 90-day suspension of their vehicle registration. That is, you can be caught stealing from the State three times and only face a 90-day suspension.   

The False Claims Act can combat toll evasion 

Under the New York False Claims Act, private citizens can take action against toll evaders who defraud the state by covering or obscuring their license plates. By filing a whistleblower (qui tam) lawsuit, you can help the state recover lost revenue and receive a significant share of the funds collected. The law allows for triple damages and civil penalties up to $27,894 for each violation, making these cases highly valuable. 

Contact us for a free consultation. 

If you are positioned at bridge and tunnel entrances, or at congestion relief zone (“Central Business District Tolling Program”) entry points, you have a unique opportunity to capture clear evidence of drivers committing fraud. By filing a whistleblower (qui tam) lawsuit, you can help the state recover lost revenue and receive a significant share of the recovered funds. If you can document these violations in action, contact us at Plates@PollockCohen.com  to arrange a free consultation and to take the next steps.