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Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Monday, March 6, 2017
A.G. Schneiderman Releases New York’s Top Ten Frauds Of 2016, Warns Consumers To Beware Of Scammers
Top Frauds Reported To A.G.’s Office Include Internet, Automobile, Retail And Other Consumer Services, Housing, And Utilities
A.G. Provides Tips To Avoid Scams, Urges New Yorkers To Report Fraud At ag.NY.gov Or 1-800-771-7755
Marking the start of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today released the list of the top ten consumer fraud complaints received by his office in 2016. Attorney General Schneiderman also offered a variety of tips on how to avoid scams in the future.
“This serves as a reminder: fraudsters are always looking for ways to line their pockets at the expense of unsuspecting consumers,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “The best weapon against scams is an informed consumer – and the law. I encourage New Yorkers to report fraud, and my office will continue its long tradition of vigorously enforcing New York’s strong consumer protection laws.”
For the eleventh year in a row, Internet-related complaints topped the list with 4,605 complaints. Internet-related complaints were closely followed by complaints about automobile sales, service, financing, and repairs (3,437). Many of the car-related complaints were filed by Volkswagen consumers after Attorney General Schneiderman announced an investigation into Volkswagen’s installation of software devices that caused its diesel vehicles to cheat environmental pollution tests. The office participated in an interrelated series of partial settlements with Volkswagen and its Audi and Porsche affiliates that provided unprecedented relief, including enabling over 21,500 New York car owners to sell their cars back to the companies at pre-scandal, fair market value, plus receive a cash payment of at least $5,100.
Consumer-related services (2,444), which include complaints about restaurant/catering services, tech repairs, dry cleaners, furniture repair, and hair and nail salons, ranked third on this year’s list, followed by Landlord/Tenant complaints that include allegations of tenant harassment (2,005). Utilities-related complaints (1,730), which include complaints about cable and satellite companies, energy services and suppliers, and wireless phone carriers, rounded out the top five.
Although not in the top ten, the Attorney General’s office continues to receive consumer complaints about two common schemes known as the IRS scam and the Grandparent scam, which target consumers by phone. In the IRS scam, the caller poses as a U.S. Treasury Department, IRS, or other government official, demanding payment for unpaid taxes and threatening consumers with arrest if they do not pay up. These scammers often use fake government logos in their email and caller ID spoofing so that the victim’s caller ID box says “Internal Revenue Service” or displays the phone number of the Internal Revenue Service. In the Grandparent scam, a grandparent receives a call from someone posing as a grandchild claiming that he or she is traveling and facing an urgent need for money – to make bail, pay a fine, or pay for automobile repairs or medical expenses. The caller begs the grandparent not to tell his or her parents. In both scams, the victims are then given instructions to send funds to the scammers. More recently, scam artists have instructed grandparents to visit retail stores, buy certain gift cards, and then provide the scammer with the information on the back of the card.
Another area of consumer complaints involves student loan debt. There are scam student debt relief companies that offer to lower or eliminate students’ monthly payments, often for an up-front fee. They often use official sounding names to make it sound like they are a government agency. In many cases, they fail to provide the promised services or merely submit paperwork for a free debt relief program offered by the federal government.
The Attorney General’s office analyzed the consumer complaints received from across the state throughout 2016. The following is the 2016 list of the top ten consumer complaints by category:
CATEGORY
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NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS
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1. Internet
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4,605
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(internet services & service providers; data privacy & security; consumer frauds)
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2. Automobile
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3,437
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(buying, leasing, repair, service contracts, rentals)
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3. Consumer-Related Services
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2,444
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(security systems; restaurant/catering services; tech repairs)
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4. Landlord/Tenant Disputes
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2,005
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(Security deposit releases, tenant-harassment)
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5. Utilities
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1,730
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(Wireless and Residential Phones; Energy Servicers & Suppliers; Cable and Satellite)
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6. Credit
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1,606
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(debt collection; credit card billing; debt settlement; payday loans; credit repair; credit reporting agencies; identity theft)
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7. Retail Sales
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1,214
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(any sale of goods: food, clothing, rent-to-own)
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8. Home Repair/Construction
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1069
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(home improvement services not delivered or done poorly)
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9. Mortgage
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921
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(mortgage modifications; mortgage and loan broker fraud; foreclosures)
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10. Mail Order
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715
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(purchases made online or from a catalog)
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The Attorney General also offered a list of tips all consumers should use to protect themselves and their families:
1. Internet: We depend on reliable Internet service. Click here to determine which questions you should ask to choose an Internet plan appropriate for your needs and to gain access to tools to test whether you are getting the Internet speeds you were promised. If you are not receiving the speed you are paying for, call your Internet service provider.
2. Automobile: This year the Attorney General celebrated the 30th anniversary of New York’s New and Used Car Lemon Laws, which provide a legal remedy for buyers or lessees of new cars that turn out to be lemons. The arbitration program was extended to used cars three years after introduced. You may be entitled to a full refund if your car does not conform to the terms of the written warranty and the manufacturer or its authorized dealer is unable to repair the car after a reasonable number of attempts. The law allows consumers to shop around for the best deal when leasing a car, set limits on early termination, and gives the Attorney General’s Office jurisdiction to resolve excess wear-and-tear disputes. Since 1987, over 30,000 new car applications were filed resulting in over 20,000 dispositions through either an arbitration award or a settlement. The 30-year total recoveries to consumers from the new car program are estimated to be in excess of $245 million and an estimated excess of $39 million from the used car program. To file a new or used car “lemon law” complaint, click here and here.
3. Consumer-Related Services: We rely on a range of services in our day-to-day living, from snow-removal to home repair to party planning. Make sure to use a written contract for all services that clearly defines restrictions and obligations of both the consumer and service-provider.
4. Landlord/Tenant Disputes: The Attorney General’s Tenant Harassment Task Force investigates situations where landlords and management companies are suspected of using construction as a means to harass tenants. Incidents of harassment include: landlords operating without proper permits; construction projects operating in violation of stop work orders; and landlords who openly ignore requirements for tenant protection plans in order to contain the spread of lead and/or asbestos which may be exposed during renovation. Tenants may lodge complaints by completing and submitting a Tenant Rights Complaint Form or calling 1-800-771-7755.
5. Utilities/Wireless and Residential Phone Service: A common complaint with long-term wireless service contracts involves the sometimes hefty price for cancellation. Some contracts charge hundreds of dollars. If you are unsure exactly what plan best fits your calling habits, and want to avoid paying a large termination fee, it might be best to avoid an extended contract. Regardless of the length of your contract, remember to carefully read and understand all terms before signing it. Learn more here.
6. Credit: Debt collection is the most common type of credit fraud, and consumers must know their rights. Debt collectors may not harass or abuse consumers, nor provide misleading information – for instance claiming to represent a government agency. Debt collectors cannot sue on debts outside the applicable statute of limitations, the time frame established for the enforcement of legal rights. Consumers have the right to demand verification of the debt. Anyone with credit problems should contact credit counseling agencies licensed by the New York State Department of Financial Services for assistance in managing the situation and avoiding collection scams. Learn more here.
7. Retail Sales: Check return and refund policies.The law requires all merchants to post their refund policies. A store that fails to do so must give consumers 30 days to get a refund in the manner that the purchase was made. Be especially vigilant of “final sales” or “cash-only – final sale” notices, as you will have little or no recourse if the merchandise proves to be defective. Some stores require the original packaging and charge a hefty restocking fee for returned items. Learn more here.
8. Home Repair/Construction: The biggest and most important investment families will make is their homes, and improvements should add value, not hardship. Before entering into a contract, shop around for estimates, check in with the Better Business Bureau, banks, suppliers and neighbors for references, and know your rights: you have three days after signing a home improvement contract to cancel it. Learn more here.
9. Mortgage: Mortgage rescue scams prey on homeowners in their greatest time of need. Look out for offers that claim to stop or delay foreclosure payments for an upfront fee or make payments on your behalf. Beware of companies that suggest a government affiliation or claim to be with the government, or those that work with attorneys but do not provide legal services. The Attorney General’s Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP) funds a network of more than 85 trusted partners dedicated to providing homeowners with free, qualified mortgage assistance relief services across New York. To find a nearby HOPP provider, visit agscamhelp.com or call the Attorney General’s hotline at 1-855-HOME-456.
10. Mail Order: Whether ordering online or from a catalog, make sure the company has an operating customer service line and lists a real street address. Companies operating on a ‘fly-by-night’ basis often have no working customer service number and list only a P.O. Box. Learn more here.
Tips for other common scams:
IRS scams: Beware of scammers posing as government officials via phone calls or emails. The IRS will never demand immediate payment or payment information over the phone. Do not engage this type of caller or provide any personal information and report the call to our office by submitting a complaint here or calling our consumer hotline at 1-800-771-7755. Scams should also be reported to the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484.
Grandparent scam: Be suspicious of anyone who calls claiming to be your grandchild and asking you to immediately wire money or buy large dollar amounts of gift cards and provide the gift card information. Grandparents should verify any supposed emergency by calling friends and family before wiring money or buying gift cards. Learn more about common scams targeting senior citizens here.
Student Debt: Beware of phony student debt relief companies that claim to lower or eliminate student loan debt. Do not pay up-front fees. Students should contact their loan servicer themselves to see if any relief is available. For federal student loans such as Stafford or PLUS loans, students should ask if they are eligible for an income-based payment plan or if they qualify for deferment or forbearance.
Health Care Fraud: The Attorney General will soon be releasing a separate report about health care fraud complaints that it received in 2016. In 2015, the Health Care Bureau Helpline received 5,444 complaints. Of these complaints, the Helpline investigated and resolved 2,836 consumer complaints and provided another 2,608 consumers with information or referrals to the agency most appropriate for the inquiry. Along with other consumer relief discussed in the report for 2015, the Helpline secured approximately $2,781,000 for consumers in restitution and savings resulting from (i) incorrect medical billing; (ii) wrongful rejection of health insurance claims; and (iii) health plans’ failures to properly process insurance claims. The Health Care Bureau Helpline report for the calendar year 2015 can be found here.
"I want to thank Attorney General Schneiderman and his office for their tireless commitment to addressing consumer fraud," said Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, who chairs the Assembly's Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee. "From the volume of complaints submitted by consumers, we know that fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair practices are all too common across many areas of our economy. We also know that for every complaint received, there are many other instances in which New Yorkers fall victim to these practices but do not realize that they have been targeted or that they should file a complaint. I look forward to working with the Attorney General's office and my colleagues in the Legislature to ensure we have strong and effective consumer protection laws and the resources to enforce them, and to promote consumer awareness so people can avoid common dangers and also know that when something does go wrong, state government stands ready to help protect their rights."
"Consumer fraud is a serious issue and we must remain vigilant in combating the latest scams designed to separate New Yorkers form their hard-earned money,” said Senator David Carlucci. “As Chair of the Committee on Consumer Protection in the New York State Senate, I intend to use every asset at my disposal to protect consumers. Strong consumer protection ensures that buyers and sellers have faith in our markets and they feel safe conducting business transactions. I thank Attorney General Schneiderman for his targeting of consumer scams and keeping New Yorkers safe and well-informed."
Attorney General Schneiderman reminds New Yorkers that in addition to being vigilant consumers, they should also report instances of fraud to his office. Consumers are encouraged to file complaints to the Attorney General’s office by completing and submitting a Consumer Bureau Online Complaint Form or calling 1-800-771-7755.
Statement From Attorney General Schneiderman On New Immigration Ban
“Courts across the country have made clear: President Trump is not above the Constitution.
While the White House may have made changes to the ban, the intent to discriminate against Muslims remains clear. This doesn’t just harm the families caught in the chaos of President Trump’s draconian policies – it’s diametrically opposed to our values, and makes us less safe.
My office is closely reviewing the new executive order, and I stand ready to litigate -- again -- in order to protect New York’s families, institutions, and economy.”
Last month, Attorney General Schneiderman filed suit against President Trump’s original immigration ban, and led a coalition of Attorneys General that opposed the ban in courts across the country.
BRONX MAN INDICTED FOR MURDERING MAN IN CHANCE ENCOUNTER
Defendant, A Parolee, Bludgeoned Man to Death with Cellphone
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been
indicted for Murder and Manslaughter for the unprovoked fatal beating of a father of six
children in his Bronx building.
District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly ferociously beat to death an
innocent man he did not even know – an attack which was caught on camera and is nearly
unbearable to watch. For this senseless killing, he now faces charges that could send him to
prison for the rest of his life.”
District Attorney Clark said that Junal Jordan, 40, of East 156th Street, was charged
with second-degree Murder, first-degree Manslaughter and fourth-degree Criminal Possession
of a Weapon. Jordan was arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice William
Mogulescu. He was remanded and is due back on June 1, 2017.
According to the investigation, on the evening of Feb. 2, 2017, Jordan was
shadowboxing while waiting for an elevator at the Melrose building he was staying at when he
encountered Bakary Darboe, 46, who resides in the building. Jordan was seen on surveillance
video grabbing Darboe when Darboe was exiting the elevator, and repeatedly punching him,
before putting him in a chokehold and striking him in the head with a cellphone. Darboe died
at the scene.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Burim Namani of the
Homicide Bureau under the supervision of Christine Scaccia, Chief of the Homicide Bureau,
and the overall supervision of Nicole Keary, Deputy Chief of the Trial Division and Jeremy
Shockett, Chief of the Trial Division.
An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.
Statement from Comptroller Scott M. Stringer on President Trump’s New Travel Ban
“Let’s call this new travel ban what it is: another paper-thin attempt to target people based on where they’re from, what religion they practice, and their cultural heritage. It’s another all-out assault on the Constitution, and another attempt to target Muslims. This White House is showing, day after day, that it actively believes in discrimination and supports tearing families apart.
“This order makes us less safe – not more. It doesn’t further U.S. interests – it undercuts our standing in the world. It doesn’t put ‘America first’ – it shreds the very fabric that binds us as a nation and as New Yorkers. It takes us in the wrong direction – fast.
“Accepting refugees is about common sense and common decency. Welcoming people from every country, no matter what religion they practice, is what makes this nation strong. And President Trump seems to be doing all he can to put himself on the wrong side of not just American values, but history itself.”
Wave Hill Events Mar 16–Mar 24
Some weeks, it is striking how closely art and nature work hand in hand in this garden environment: We start the week with an art workshop, then move on to a primer on birding (or a bird-related Family Art Project), a special behind-the-scenes tour of the greenhouse and finish up with open studios in the gallery and a glorious concert in historic Armor Hall—intimate, full of life, naturally and aesthetically.
THU, MARCH 16 WINTER WORKSPACE WORKSHOP: IDIOMS ON RICE PAPER
Work with Winter Workspace artist Elisabeth Condon to immerse yourself in the art of brushwork and experience the magic of practicing idioms in ink on rice paper. With each stroke, strengthen your painting, drawing and observation skills. $55/$45 Wave Hill Member. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center.
GLYNDOR GALLERY, 10AM–1PM
SAT, MARCH 18 BIRDING BOOTCAMP
Can you tell a catbird from a cowbird? New and experienced birders are invited to join expert birder, naturalist and educator Gabriel Willow to discover the many groups of birds that call NYC their home. Through images and a short lecture, Gabriel shares proven techniques to simplify bird identification using visual and auditory clues. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Registration recommended, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center.
MEET AT WAVE HILL HOUSE, 9:30AM–1:30PM
SAT, MARCH 18 FAMILY ART PROJECT: GIVE A WINTER BIRD A HOME OR A FEEDER
Returning migrators and winter birds could use a little help with nests and food right now. Use the boxy shape of an ordinary milk carton to your advantage, camouflaging it with natural materials like pine boughs and leaves, and add an inviting stick perch. Add seeds and welcome home our feathery friends.
Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM
SAT, MARCH 18 GARDEN & CONSERVATORY HIGHLIGHTS WALK
Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM
SAT, MARCH 18 BEHIND-THE-SCENES GREENHOUSE TOUR
Venture through closed doors for a behind-the-scenes garden tour of Wave Hill. Peek inside the Potting Shed, preview the South African bulbs getting ready for their dazzling Palm House debut and be among the first visitors to view the newly-renovated Alpine House, with Wave Hill Gardener Susannah Strazzera. Free with admission to the grounds.
PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 1PM
SUN, MARCH 19 FAMILY ART PROJECT: GIVE A WINTER BIRD A HOME OR A FEEDER
Returning migrators and winter birds could use a little help with nests and food right now. Use the boxy shape of an ordinary milk carton to your advantage, camouflaging it with natural materials like pine boughs and leaves, and add an inviting stick perch. Add seeds and welcome home our feathery friends.
Free with admission to the grounds.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM
SUN, MARCH 19 PRE-CONCERT TEA
Enjoy Afternoon Tea in the Mark Twain Room prior to today’s concert in Armor Hall. The Café at Wave Hill pairs a classic menu with an assortment of green, black and herbal teas. This traditional tea service includes the four classic elements of savory, scones, sweets and tea. The menu, presented by Great Performances, includes an array of tea sandwiches, scones and bite-sized desserts. Afternoon Tea also includes a glass of sparkling wine. Afternoon Tea Service is $36. Wave Hill Members receive a 10% discount. Advanced registration is required, online atwavehill.org. We will take reservations until noon, Friday, March 17.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, NOON
SUN, MARCH 19 WINTER WORKSPACE DROP-IN SUNDAY
Artists in the Winter Workspace program share their studio practice with visitors on this Drop-in Sunday. In the Winter Workspace today are Michael Kelly Williams,Leenda Bonilla and Alison Owen. Stop by Glyndor Gallery to speak to the artists and get a closer look at the creative process. Free with admission to the grounds.
GLYNDOR GALLERY, 1–3PM
SUN, MARCH 19 CONCERT: SIRIUS QUARTET
Acclaimed for “savoring the life of each richly inflected note" (Los Angeles Times),Sirius Quartet combines exhilarating repertoire with unequalled improvisational fire. These conservatory-trained performer-composers shine with precision, soul and a raw energy that audiences adore. The ensemble champions a forward-thinking, genre-defying approach and has appeared at venues that include Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, the Stuttgart Jazz Fest and the Beijing Music Festival. Its members are: Fung Chern Hwei and Gregor Huebner, violins; Ron Lawrence, viola; and Jeremy Harman, cello. At Wave Hill, the ensemble offers works inspired by Argentinian tango, Afro-Cuban rhythms and a one-of-a-kind take on the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby.” Performances begin at 2PM and last approximately one hour with no intermission. Ticket prices: Adults $28/$22 Wave Hill Member, Children (ages 8-18) $15/$12. Order tickets online or onsite at the Perkins Visitors Center. For additional information, please call 718.549.3200 x251.
WAVE HILL HOUSE, 2PM
SUN, MARCH 19 GARDEN & CONSERVATORY HIGHLIGHTS WALK
Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM
MON, MARCH 20
Closed to the public.
A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.
HOURS Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM, starting March 15. Closes 4:30PM, November 1–March 14.
ADMISSION $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.
PROGRAM FEES Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.
Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/
DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.
Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.
STATEMENT FROM STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA ON CURRENT ADMINISTRATION'S REVISED EXECUTIVE ORDER BANNING NATIONALS FROM SIX MAJORITY MUSLIM COUNTRIES
"I unequivocally condemn and denounce the Executive Order recently signed by the current administration that reinstates a 90-day travel ban on individuals from six majority Muslim countries including Syria, Lybia, Yemen, Sudan, Iran and Somalia. It is important to note that while the new Executive Order was only slightly modified, its key provisions do not differ from the original version.
This Executive Order will continue to shut our country's doors to refugees from all over the world adding to the desperation of countless men, women and children seeking an opportunity to restart their lives after surviving dramatic and harrowing experiences that made them flee their home countries. While our national security is and should be paramount, the measures that this Executive Order seeks to implement are counterintuitive and shortsighted to our country's efforts to successfully fight terrorism at home and abroad. By singling out individuals from these six majority Muslim countries, this administration further perpetuates the feelings of fear, discrimination, violence and hate that have impacted Muslim communities across our country.
I remain committed to resisting this administration's efforts to discriminate against people, whether it be based on their nationality, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation."
I remain committed to resisting this administration's efforts to discriminate against people, whether it be based on their nationality, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation."
STATEMENT FROM MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO ON PRESIDENT TRUMP’S TRAVEL BAN
“President Trump’s latest attempt at a travel ban is as discriminatory as his first one. The ban is a direct reflection of the President’s misguided ideas about immigrants, refugees and homeland security. The intent of this approach is to broadly vilify a Muslim community central to American life and to our security at home and abroad. Undermining this relationship through indiscriminate travel bans – rather than developing immigration screening capable of targeting real threats – endangers an American moral standard of inclusiveness that underpins our security.
“If the President took a quick look around his own hometown he would see that we don't need to discriminate to be safe. In fact, New York City's inclusiveness helps make this the safest big city in America. Thankfully, the stroke of a pen in Washington won’t change our New York values and it won’t make us any less proud to be the ultimate city of immigrants.”