Do Toll Violations Go on Your Credit Report?

If you’ve ever zipped through a toll booth without paying—either by mistake or because your E-ZPass didn’t register—you might have wondered: “Can this unpaid toll pop up on my credit report?” It’s a common question, and today, I’m here to clear up any confusion and explain how toll violations can affect your financial standing.

What Happens When You Miss Paying a Toll?

Firstly, let’s understand what happens when you pass a toll without paying. Toll facilities monitor missed payments using automated cameras that capture your vehicle’s license plate. If you miss a toll payment, you’ll typically receive a notice in the mail demanding payment for the toll amount plus any additional fees.

Do Unpaid Tolls Affect Your Credit Score?

Now, to the heart of the matter: Do these unpaid tolls end up on your credit report? The simple answer is: they can, but it doesn’t happen immediately. Toll violations only affect your credit report if they go unpaid for a significant amount of time and get handed over to a collection agency. Here’s how the process works:

1. Notice Period: You’ll first receive a notice from the toll operator, which includes the original toll amount plus possibly some additional administrative fees.
2. Additional Notices: If you ignore the first notice, more reminders will follow. Each reminder might come with increased penalties.
3. Collections: If the toll remains unpaid after multiple notices, the toll authority may turn the debt over to a collections agency. Once in collections, the agency will try to recover the unpaid tolls and fees.
4. Credit Report Impact: It’s when a collection agency gets involved that your credit score could be at risk. Collections agencies typically report to the three major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. A collections entry on your credit report can negatively impact your credit score.

How to Handle Unpaid Tolls

To avoid any negative impact on your credit report from an unpaid toll, follow these steps:

• Pay Promptly: Always try to pay tolls on time. If you receive a notice for an unpaid toll, address it as soon as possible to avoid additional fees and potential credit issues.
• Dispute Errors: If you believe you’ve been wrongly charged or there is an error in the toll notice, contact the toll authority immediately to dispute the charges. Keep records of your communications and any receipts or documents that support your claim.
• Check Your Vehicle and Tag: Ensure your vehicle’s license plate is unobstructed and that any toll tags (like E-ZPass) are properly mounted and functioning. Regularly check your toll account to ensure it’s adequately funded and your contact information is up to date.

Pro Tips: To effectively handle unpaid tolls and avoid impacts on your credit report, promptly pay any due tolls upon receipt of a notice, challenge any discrepancies by contacting the toll authority with supporting documents, and regularly check that your vehicle’s license plate is visible and toll tags function properly. Also, ensure your toll account is properly funded and your contact details are current.

Useful Links

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – Credit and Loans: This page provides general information about credit, loans, and debt management. FTC Credit and Loans
• Annual Credit Report: This is the only authorized website for free credit reports. It helps you monitor any changes that collections, including toll violations, might cause. Annual Credit Report
• E-ZPass: If you use toll roads regularly, managing your E-ZPass account can help prevent unintended toll violations. E-ZPass
• Toll Violation Contact Information: Here’s where you can find contact information for disputing toll violations or handling notices. Contact Your Toll Authority

These resources will help you understand and manage your toll payments and monitor their potential impact on your credit history.

FAQs About Toll Violations and Credit Reports

Q: Can paying a toll violation late affect my credit score?

A: Paying late won’t affect your credit score unless the violation goes to collections.

Q: How long does a toll violation stay on my credit report?

A: Collections accounts typically remain on your credit report for up to seven years from the date of the original delinquency.

Q: What if I don’t remember passing through a toll or receiving a notice?

A: Contact the toll authority to investigate. Sometimes, notices go to an old address, or you might not recognize the charge if you incurred the toll in a rental car.

In Conclusion

Toll violations can appear on your credit report if you ignore them long enough to trigger collection actions, but they won’t directly impact your credit if you handle them promptly. Always keep an eye on notices and manage toll payments diligently to avoid any bumps on your financial journey.

Remember, maintaining a good credit score is crucial for your financial health, so it’s important to handle any form of debt responsibly, including those seemingly insignificant toll violations. Stay informed and proactive in managing your finances, and you’ll navigate through these issues with ease!