Scammer
Banned
[video]http://www.wbaltv.com/r/25820239/detail.html[/video]
BALTIMORE -- By the time some E-ZPass customers learn of violations and fees, they owe thousands of dollars to the state of Maryland.
Jason and Jennifer Markomanolakis are back on the road again after working out a deal to pay off an excessive E-ZPass bill.
The WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team reported in July that Maryland suspended the tags on the couple's two vehicles.
"They threatened to garnish my paychecks," Jason Markomanolakis said in July.
The state claimed the couple racked up dozens of E-ZPass violations. The couple said they didn't receive any notices, and by the time they found out, they owed more than $1,600 -- only a fraction of it for the actual tolls.
The couple told the I-Team it was difficult to get answers.
Baltimore City Sen. George Della, D-District 46, intervened and helped get the fees knocked down to $600.
"Their questions fall into a bureaucratic abyss, and then they are caught up in the nightmare of their life," Della said.
Since the July report, dozens more E-ZPass customers have contacted the I-Team with a variety of complaints about the electronic toll collection system and the process Maryland uses to collect violations.
E-ZPass Customer Pulled Over
Michele Skene claimed a Maryland Transportation Authority police officer pulled her over outside the Fort McHenry Tunnel and gave her a $140 ticket.
"I was hysterical sobbing and crying," she said. "I burst into tears, and he said, 'Well, I'm going to take your tags,' and I said, 'No, please don't take my tags.' He said, 'I'm going to take your tags.'"
The state suspended the tags, and Skene said she had to hire a tow truck to remove her car. Skene said she unknowingly had 54 violations, and now she's leery about using the tunnel.
"I'm scared to death to use the tunnel. I'm scared to pay the $2 (toll) because something else might happen," Skene said.
Skene said she had been using the higher speed toll lane where there are no alarms or message boards. Skene said she thought her E-ZPass account was in good standing.
She said she never received any violation notices by mail, but ultimately learned she owed $108 in tolls and more than $1,300 in administrative fees.
When an E-ZPass violation is posted, it may take some time before the customer receives notification. Some customers said they never received notice, resulting in thousands of dollars in fees.
Administrative fees are used to maintain E-ZPass equipment.
E-ZPass customer Michele Skene said she found out about the two accounts after she was pulled over at the Fort McHenry Tunnel.
Randy Brown, deputy executive secretary of the Maryland Transportation Authority, said the state has no plans to make changes.
"We've looked into that and we will not be merging violation accounts and E-ZPass accounts," Brown said.
The state doesn't believe there's a problem getting notices out.
"We don't know of any glitches," Brown said. "We use the U.S. mail system, which is a very accurate mail system."
Some Accounts Referred To Collections Unit
Tania Wilkins said she paid her E-ZPass account off two years ago, giving the state $884 for outstanding violations. But in June, she began receiving letters claiming she owed more than $5,200.
"These claims are erroneous," Wilkins said. "I didn't use the E-ZPass after 2008."
Central Collections Unit. The demand for payment could have a major impact on the nursing student's education.
"They did state that if it was necessary, they would take my financial aid to offset the balance," Wilkins said. "I was devastated."
Delinquent accounts have also been reported to the credit bureaus, which Della said he would like to see changed.
It may seem heavy-handed, but Brown disagreed.
"CCU has an obligation to collect all debts, whether it's E-ZPass, income tax or any other debt to the state," Brown said.
Faulty Equipment Resulted In Overcharges
Ray Mahone reported a different problem: A problem with is transponder that resulted in overcharges.
"They charge you $1.50 a month to use it and it should work," Mahone said.
When his transponder fails, a buzzer sounds and he faces additional charges. Mahone said he has to contact E-ZPass every time to get the charges reversed. In a six-week period, Mahone said he was charged an extra $22.
"You shouldn't have to check this on a daily basis," Mahone said.
State: System Mostly Accurate; Change Coming
Brown said, overall, the E-ZPass system is 99 percent accurate.
"We're constantly receiving feedback from customers and constantly trying to make changes. We're evolving as a toll system," Brown said.
The E-ZPass customers with whom the I-Team spoke are frustrated. Skene worked out a payment plan for her $2,100 debt. Wilkins is desperately trying to protect her student loan. Mahone said E-ZPass will not replace his transponder.
There is at least one change coming. Currently, can take up to two weeks for drivers to get violation notices in the mail, and only three notices are sent.
Starting in the spring, E-ZPass will send monthly notices to customers who have outstanding balances or violations.
BALTIMORE -- By the time some E-ZPass customers learn of violations and fees, they owe thousands of dollars to the state of Maryland.
Jason and Jennifer Markomanolakis are back on the road again after working out a deal to pay off an excessive E-ZPass bill.
The WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team reported in July that Maryland suspended the tags on the couple's two vehicles.
"They threatened to garnish my paychecks," Jason Markomanolakis said in July.
The state claimed the couple racked up dozens of E-ZPass violations. The couple said they didn't receive any notices, and by the time they found out, they owed more than $1,600 -- only a fraction of it for the actual tolls.
The couple told the I-Team it was difficult to get answers.
Baltimore City Sen. George Della, D-District 46, intervened and helped get the fees knocked down to $600.
"Their questions fall into a bureaucratic abyss, and then they are caught up in the nightmare of their life," Della said.
Since the July report, dozens more E-ZPass customers have contacted the I-Team with a variety of complaints about the electronic toll collection system and the process Maryland uses to collect violations.
E-ZPass Customer Pulled Over
Michele Skene claimed a Maryland Transportation Authority police officer pulled her over outside the Fort McHenry Tunnel and gave her a $140 ticket.
"I was hysterical sobbing and crying," she said. "I burst into tears, and he said, 'Well, I'm going to take your tags,' and I said, 'No, please don't take my tags.' He said, 'I'm going to take your tags.'"
The state suspended the tags, and Skene said she had to hire a tow truck to remove her car. Skene said she unknowingly had 54 violations, and now she's leery about using the tunnel.
"I'm scared to death to use the tunnel. I'm scared to pay the $2 (toll) because something else might happen," Skene said.
Skene said she had been using the higher speed toll lane where there are no alarms or message boards. Skene said she thought her E-ZPass account was in good standing.
She said she never received any violation notices by mail, but ultimately learned she owed $108 in tolls and more than $1,300 in administrative fees.
When an E-ZPass violation is posted, it may take some time before the customer receives notification. Some customers said they never received notice, resulting in thousands of dollars in fees.
Administrative fees are used to maintain E-ZPass equipment.
E-ZPass customer Michele Skene said she found out about the two accounts after she was pulled over at the Fort McHenry Tunnel.
Randy Brown, deputy executive secretary of the Maryland Transportation Authority, said the state has no plans to make changes.
"We've looked into that and we will not be merging violation accounts and E-ZPass accounts," Brown said.
The state doesn't believe there's a problem getting notices out.
"We don't know of any glitches," Brown said. "We use the U.S. mail system, which is a very accurate mail system."
Some Accounts Referred To Collections Unit
Tania Wilkins said she paid her E-ZPass account off two years ago, giving the state $884 for outstanding violations. But in June, she began receiving letters claiming she owed more than $5,200.
"These claims are erroneous," Wilkins said. "I didn't use the E-ZPass after 2008."
Central Collections Unit. The demand for payment could have a major impact on the nursing student's education.
"They did state that if it was necessary, they would take my financial aid to offset the balance," Wilkins said. "I was devastated."
Delinquent accounts have also been reported to the credit bureaus, which Della said he would like to see changed.
It may seem heavy-handed, but Brown disagreed.
"CCU has an obligation to collect all debts, whether it's E-ZPass, income tax or any other debt to the state," Brown said.
Faulty Equipment Resulted In Overcharges
Ray Mahone reported a different problem: A problem with is transponder that resulted in overcharges.
"They charge you $1.50 a month to use it and it should work," Mahone said.
When his transponder fails, a buzzer sounds and he faces additional charges. Mahone said he has to contact E-ZPass every time to get the charges reversed. In a six-week period, Mahone said he was charged an extra $22.
"You shouldn't have to check this on a daily basis," Mahone said.
State: System Mostly Accurate; Change Coming
Brown said, overall, the E-ZPass system is 99 percent accurate.
"We're constantly receiving feedback from customers and constantly trying to make changes. We're evolving as a toll system," Brown said.
The E-ZPass customers with whom the I-Team spoke are frustrated. Skene worked out a payment plan for her $2,100 debt. Wilkins is desperately trying to protect her student loan. Mahone said E-ZPass will not replace his transponder.
There is at least one change coming. Currently, can take up to two weeks for drivers to get violation notices in the mail, and only three notices are sent.
Starting in the spring, E-ZPass will send monthly notices to customers who have outstanding balances or violations.