ARCADE, N.Y. (WKBW) — Imagine getting a ticket in the mail for an un-inspected vehicle that you don't own, in a county you've never visited hundreds of miles away. That's what Debbie Turk from Arcade says happened to her.
Turk sold a 2002 Subaru Forester to a local junkyard in September of 2017. A receipt provided to 7 Eyewitness News shows she turned the plates into the DMV and they were destroyed. One year later, she got a letter from Nassau County with a parking ticket attached, saying a summons was issued for an un-inspected vehicle with her plates. Turk was baffled. She says she's never even been to Nassau County.
"It wasn't even the same vehicle," she said.
Knowing it must be a mix-up, Turk sent Nassau County proof the car was sold and the title had been exchanged. The county then sent her a notice saying she must pay the 170 dollars and appear in court.
Turk is on a fixed income and says she shouldn't be responsible for what's clearly a clerical mix up.
7 Eyewitness News went to work, calling Nassau County and trying to resolve the issue.
We spoke with the County Executive's office who, after further research determined it was a clerical error. The county says it sincerely apologizes to Turk, and she will not be responsible for the fee.
