One of the most frustrating aspects for any traveler, whether on vacation or business, is long lines at highway tolls. To reduce toll wait times, many states have electronic passes such as EZ Pass in New York and Sun Pass in Florida that allow drivers to pass quickly through tolls, often without stopping. As an apparent convenience, almost all rental car companies include an “e-toll” transponder so that customers can avoid the slower cash-only toll lanes.
Unfortunately, many of the rental car companies may be deceptively charging a hidden fee for customers that go through tolls, above and beyond what the actual tolls charges. While it is true that some responsible rental car companies disclose the fee (which is typically $3 dollars a day or more) either at the rental counter or on the “e-toll” transponder itself, many do not.
When consumers make internet or phone reservations, there is no disclosure about any additional fee. Moreover, the charge is easy to miss because it does not appear on customer receipts provided when cars are returned, but are instead charged days or weeks later (along with the toll charges) to the credit card used to make the reservation. Not surprisingly, many consumers miss these small charges. What makes this practice most egregious is that there are many locations that do not require any affirmative act by the customer to select or opt-in to the e-toll program, and so the charges appear with no disclosure at all.
We are actively investigating a potential class action to recover these deceptively charged e-toll fees. If you or anyone you know has rented a car and used an e-toll, EZ Pass, Sun Pass or any other electronic toll system and were charged a fee above the actual tolls, please contact us to discuss your legal options.