It is not bullshit. If you don't pay they will send it to collections. Dealt with it myself. Luckily I caught it as soon as they sent it to collections, they hadn't removed my toll from the website so I paid it and told collections to fuck themselves. Never heard back, never got any ding on my credit, but I'm sure if I had waited any longer it could've been a nightmare.

But also OP: if you call EZ Pass and ask they will waive one fee. And it sounds like you don't have a transponder, you should get one ASAP. They are free with a $20 pre-load credit.