Quebecers are not obliged to pay the US$50 late fee for a US$0.54 transfer that the New York highway manager often charges them. A local lawyer is living proof: he contested the late notice and never heard from it again.
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“I paid 24 hours after receiving the invoice by mail. It’s clear that I was not going to pay $50 in abusive and excessive fees on top of that,” says the man who practices in Quebec and who does not wish to be identified because he is working on a sensitive cause.
The Journal reported Monday the story of a Quebecer who had to pay US$302 in late fees – or 400 CAD.
This time, the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA) customer received an invoice around January 20, 2023 following a visit to New York State. He was charged US$17.65 for a few highway crossings.
Dated December 20, 2022, the invoice was due for payment on January 22, 2023, just two days after receipt. Since he was unable to create an E-ZPass account to pay his dues online – his Quebec postal code was not accepted – the lawyer resigned himself to going back in time.
He asked Desjardins to produce a check for US$17.65, which the Lévis institution did by billing his client $15. Our man rushed to put the check in the mail, but he still received a $50 late notice a few days later.
“I can’t pay online. I pay $15 to write the check. And they’re asking me for $50!” our man exclaims, in disbelief.
An agency and exorbitant fees
The notice was sent by a collection agency hired by NYSTA to go after bad payers. The envelope sent by this company identified as “professional account management” is bright orange in color.
New York’s Thruway Authority has no understanding with law enforcement regarding Canadians. This agency is his only way of getting his clients paid.
“If you get this far in the recovery process, we’re no longer the ones handling the matter,” admits a NYSTA director to whom The newspaper spoke on Monday.
Jonathan Dougherty also stated that he is not aware of any problems creating an account for Canadian customers.
“All Quebecers can do it easily,” he assures.
He also confirms that the NYSTA can do nothing against us. If a Quebecer who owes $500 to the NYSTA crosses the American border, customs officers will leave him alone.
And if he gets pulled over by the police for speeding on a New York State highway, the cops won’t be able to do anything.
When it’s necessary, it’s necessary
The Quebec lawyer let a few weeks pass following receipt of his late notice, at the end of January 2023. In March, he sent a notice of dispute for the $50 fee to the collection agency by email.
He never heard of NYSTA after that. Still unable to connect to E-ZPass, he doesn’t even know if everything is set, but he no longer receives orange envelopes.
“It shows that we can defend ourselves against abuse. It’s about knowing what to do,” he said, encouraging all concerned Quebecers to do like him.
What to do to defend yourself?
Our lawyer received his invoice on January 20. He mailed a check on January 21. Around January 28, he received a late notice. He was asked to pay US$50 more. He objected in an email in March and never heard from NYSTA again. Quebecers who are charged $50 here and there by NYSTA can therefore do the same. NYSTA also has an independent monitor, or Office of the Toll Payer Advocate. He is a type of ombudsman, an independent employee who is there to help customers who feel wronged. One of the directors of the NYSTA encourages Quebecers to use this service if necessary.