Driver discovers too much on his plate

Dear John: Here is my problem. I am caught up in the bureaucracy of E-ZPass.

Prior to September 2013, the license plate on my green Buick was “1957AYG.” Somehow, the Department of Motor Vehicles issued the exact same license plate to the owner of a black Mercedes.

Consequently, I started receiving bills from E-ZPass for drive-throughs the Mercedes made, in addition to my own.

This year I surrendered my1957AYGplates for new plates with a new number. I have done everything possible to straighten this out with phone calls, letters and personal visits to E-ZPass in Yonkers. Each time I was told the problem was solved.

I recently received a letter from E-ZPass. Nowhere does it show my old license plate number or the new one. Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of the surrender receipt from the DMVandamunable to get them to send me a new one.

Frankly, I feel like I’m being scammed. Hopefully you will pass along some sage advice. Thanks. J.S. Dear J.S.: Advice? I don’t have any. But I did have the phone number for E-ZPass’ top officials and your problem is now fixed — at least that’s what I was told.

If this becomes un-fixed for some reason, get back to me and I will make another call. But I really do think this is fixed to your satisfaction. The only one who isn’t going to be happy is the person who has your old plate number and will now get billed for all their tolls.

Happy motoring.