HCTRA EZ Tag Harris County Toll Road Authority Collections racket, scam, scheme, rip-off Houston Texas

Just got a notice from HCTRA's legal counsel.  It clearly states that it was forwarded because HCTRA was unable to get any response.  Linbarger.... states that HCTRA shows they sent several notices to the same address as Linebarger used.  NONE were ever recieved directly from HCTRA.  Once is a fluke, but last December, the same thing happened for another reason.  And again, HCTRA says they sent notices, but the only recieved was from legal counsel.  

The first issue originated from the date the account was started.  I went into the EZ Tag Store to start things.  A tag numbered ***### was enetered by them as ***000###.  Each state has a set system for thier tag numbering.  HCTRA's system does not have the ability to verify if the info entered meets the states method, as in number of letters, number of numbers, total characters.  Not all states can be verified as entered correct using this method, but many can.  My EZ Tag was not read due to a toll scanner being down.  They charged based on photos of the tags.  Because my tag was enetered with 3 extra 0's, it didn't come up.  So, they CLAIM they mailed notices to the registered address of the vehicle.  I have a home on family property in Mississippi, and my parents live in the other house that shares the same address.  I get texts or emails with pictures of any bills or the like that get mailed to this house.  NONE were recieved from HCTRA.  Not to mention the notice from Linebarger, the law firmed called that house on CHRISTMAS day. 

Linebarger saw that the HCTRA system showed that HCTRA entered the tag number, so in the end they waved all penalties.

The current issue, there were NO notices recieved from HCTRA.  Only Linebarger.  This time it was an issue with a new tag.  I called in to have it updated.  For some reason it was not.  They show no record of the call.  Linebarger themselves told me that they saw that the vehicle was on an account and told me the old tag number.  If they see this, then WHY is this not being addressed in a different manner.  The vehicle evidently passed through a scanning station that was down.  They again used the photo.  If they pull the registration and see that the vehicle with the tag is the SAME vehicle as the one on the account, they should be able to charge it to the account.  The color, make, model, and VIN have not changed.  They can see it is the same vehicle.  They would rather send it to collections and drastically increase the charges, rather than charge it and send you an e-mail notice to contact them to verify and correct the information. 

HCTRA refuses to lower any penalties this time.  There is MAJOR money in this set-up.  It is in both HCTRA and Linebarger's best interest to have the bill go to collection.  It nets HCTRA more money, and is the whole reason Linebarger gets involved.  IT PAYS.

 

I am most interested in seeing how many people do NOT recieve notices prior to it being turned over to Linebarger.  

I want to see a class action suit.  I would happily join.  once is a fluke, but twice is the beginning of a pattern.  Who else recieved no HCTRA notices prior to getting Linebarger notices?

 

Don

Katy,texas