NORTH BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY — Police in New Jersey are warning truck drivers and commercial vehicle operators about an increase in E-ZPass transponder thefts from parked trucks and work vehicles.
The North Brunswick Police Department issued the alert on April 29 after investigators reported an uptick in stolen toll devices from commercial vehicles, often during overnight hours.
Thieves Targeting Parked Trucks
Police said thieves are targeting unattended commercial vehicles and removing E-ZPass transponders from windshields or dashboards.
The stolen devices are then used to rack up fraudulent toll charges.
In many cases across the area, police said thieves are not just taking the transponders. They are replacing them with other stolen devices, meaning drivers and companies may not immediately realize their assigned transponder has been switched.
“Please routinely verify that the transponders in your vehicles are the correct ones and actually yours. You may be responsible for any tolls and fees racked up on your transponders, so please be aware,” NBPD said.
Police Urge Drivers to Take Precautions
Truckers and fleet operators are urged to remove E-ZPass devices when vehicles are not in use and store them out of sight in a glove box or secure compartment.
Police also recommend parking in well-lit, high-traffic areas whenever possible and considering vehicle security cameras or alarms.
Drivers and companies should regularly monitor E-ZPass accounts for unauthorized charges.
What to Do if a Transponder Is Stolen
If a transponder is stolen, police said victims should report the theft immediately, contact E-ZPass customer service to deactivate the device, and review their toll account to dispute unauthorized charges.
North Brunswick Police are also asking the public to report suspicious activity around parked commercial vehicles.
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