By Jeff Preval

Copyright wivb

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – As we continue our series on the issue of license plate fraud in New York state and how the problem is impacting New Yorkers, WIVB News 4 is asking police — what are they doing to fight back? We’re also taking a look at the shortfalls in tolling systems that allow for drivers to get erroneous tickets and toll violations when they shouldn’t get them. Last week, WIVB News 4 told you about Erik Anderson and Amanda Griffin of Jamestown and the mountain of downstate toll violations, speeding tickets and parking tickets they were buried under, tied to their old license plate even though it was surrendered and destroyed by the DMV in Chautauqua County a year and a half ago. “Anger, upset, confusion don’t understand what’s happening when we did what we’re supposed to do,” Erik said. Tickets and toll violations show multiple cars with Erik and Amanda’s old plate combination.New York City’s Department of Finance says it appears they are the victims of a counterfeit license plate. “Pretty much every government agency that could try to reach out to, I’ve made phone calls and emails, its been a constant, I’ve spent hundreds of hours on the phone,” Amanda said. Under the weight of fees and collection agencies demanding payment, Erik and Amanda reached out to Call 4 Action for help. WIVB was able to get in touch with Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP, a collection agency demanding payment from Erik and Amanda and showed the firm documentation on their situation. This resulted in $500 in tolls and fees from the New Jersey Turnpike being dropped and EZ-Pass New York dismissing all fraudulent tolls. New York City’s Department of Finance followed suit, reversing the judgment against Erik and dismissing 13 other summonses, wiping their slate clean. “You guys have been amazing, I can’t thank you enough,” Anderson said. State Police say license plate fraud is a growing problem across the state. “It’s a terrible situation for the couple in Jamestown with this and that’s exactly why we’re out there doing what we do looking for people that will break the law,” said New York State Trooper James O’Callaghan. So far this year, New York State Police say they’ve written more than 23,000 tickets for switched plates and altered plates. Police are encountering plate covers, which were made illegal in New York State last year. “A lot of times, behind those clear covers not all the time, but a good amount it might just be a piece of paper on a colored printer with the numbers and letter combination of a random New York State plate and they put that cover over the top because in hindsight it looks legit,” O’Callaghan said. License plate fraud is a big problem in New York City where congestion pricing was launched in January. Specific details are going after toll evaders and “ghost cars.” “We have plate readers on our cars, we will at intersections throughout the shift the trooper or any police officer will directly punch in your plate number and we have a direct link to DMV to see whether or not that vehicle is suspended, does it have an insurance lapse, is it properly attached to the vehicle?” O’Callaghan said. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says since March 2024, 5,300 vehicles have been seized, 1,300 arrests have been made and 50,000 summonses issued in connection to toll evasion in the New York City area. “It’s not just about tolls or congestion pricing, this is about crime in general, the folks who use ghost plates are not just trying to evade tolls they’re also evading speed cameras, school cameras and they’re committing crimes in our community,” said Catherine Sheridan, the president of MTA Bridges and Tunnels. But how is it that toll evaders are using license plate combinations that have been destroyed, never to be used again by the DMV? Affecting the lives of people like Erik Anderson and Amanda Griffin. “Something is broken somewhere and they need a better system,” Griffin said. License plate fraud is a problem county clerks across the state have had to deal with. “It’s really unfortunate and it’s almost a version of identity theft in a way,” said Holly Tanner, the clerk in Columbia County, just outside of Albany, who serves on the New York State DMV Committee for the Association of County Clerks. She says the problem comes down to ticketing and tolling agencies not checking updated DMV records. “However the system works, in the city, this plate number needs to have a fine associated with it because it came through one of our readers and they just send a ticket out, they don’t do any investigation, they don’t follow up, the ticket is just mailed out that could be one simple fix is if someone who is processing these letters looked in the DMV system which is a statewide system as a partner and they would see, oh, this plate has been surrendered and destroyed,” Tanner said. Tanner says what happened to Erik and Amanda, shouldn’t happen to anyone who follows the rules. “To me, they’re trying to get money from people who don’t deserve to have these fines and these violations because they did the right thing they surrendered their plates they have proof their plates were surrendered or it’s not even the right vehicle and that’s not appropriate it’s not right that this is happening to customers,” Tanner said. As our series on license plate fraud continues, you will hear from a Southern Tier man who also appears to be the victim of a counterfeit license plate, then one day, got a surprise knock at the door from police. If you feel you’re a victim of license plate fraud, you are encouraged to contact local law enforcement. You can also contact these agencies: You can also submit a Call 4 Action complaint so that News 4 can take a look into your situation. The Governor’s Office says if you did share your personal information, you should check your credit reports. You can contact TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian to place a credit freeze or fraud alert on your account. You’re also encouraged to change your passwords, check your computer or devices for viruses, and notify your bank and other companies that you have accounts with. The Governor’s Office also says EZ-Pass or Tolls By Mail will never send a text or email requesting sensitive personal information. Since the beginning of Congestion Relief in January, text messaging scams from “NY Toll Services” or other fake names have been trying to collect tolls for the Congestion Relief Zone in New York City.