Apache Corporation to Pay $4 Million and Reduce Unlawful Air Pollution from Oil and Gas Wells in New Mexico and Texas, Eliminating More Than 10,000 Tons of Harmful Air Pollutants Annually

 

Company Also Will Spend $5.5 Million for Preventative Measures and to Help Address Environmental Harm Caused by Its Violations

Apache Corporation (Apache) has agreed to pay $4 million in civil penalties and undertake projects expected to cost at least $5.5 million to ensure 422 of its oil and gas well pads in New Mexico and Texas comply with state and federal clean air regulations and offset past illegal emissions.

Apache’s agreement settles a civil suit – filed jointly by the United States, on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) – alleging that Apache failed to comply with federal and state requirements to capture and control air emissions from 23 of its oil and gas production operations in New Mexico and Texas. EPA and NMED identified the alleged violations through field investigations and repeated flyover surveillance conducted in 2019, 2020 and 2022.

Compliance with this robust settlement will result in annual reductions of more than 9,650 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and 900 tons of methane, which equates to more than 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). VOCs are a key component in the formation of ground-level ozone or smog, which irritates lungs, exacerbates diseases including asthma and can increase susceptibility to respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

“This settlement will ensure compliance at hundreds of oil and gas facilities across New Mexico and Texas,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Under the settlement, over 400 Apache facilities will be required to take extensive steps to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds – which contribute to smog – as well as methane gas, which is a significant contributor to climate change.”

“Robust enforcement of Clean Air Act violations at oil and gas facilities protects communities from harmful smog and reduces methane emissions that are major contributors to global climate change,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s agreement demonstrates EPA’s commitment to working with our state partners to tackle climate change and improve air quality for everyone living in the United States.” 

“Noxious pollutants directly threaten the health of neighboring communities while propelling our world toward climate disaster,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez for the District of New Mexico. “I applaud the tireless efforts of the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, the U.S. EPA and the NMED to protect our lungs and our earth. Environmental justice is a top priority for the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.”

“This settlement shows that oil and gas operators deserve greater scrutiny because too many are failing to comply with federal and state rules,” said New Mexico Environment Cabinet Secretary James Kenney. “As a result, bad actors will cause greater federal and state regulation of the entire oil and gas industry as ozone levels rise and public health suffers.”

The $4 million fine outlined in the settlement will be shared equally by the United States and the State of New Mexico, with New Mexico’s portion going to the state’s general fund. The settlement document (consent decree) was filed together with the complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico and requires the company to take numerous steps to ensure that 422 well pads covered by the consent decree and located in New Mexico and Texas are operated lawfully.

In addition to the $4 million fine, Apache will also spend at least $4.5 million to implement extensive design, operation, maintenance and monitoring improvements, including installing new tank pressure monitoring systems that will provide advance notification of potential emissions and allow for immediate response action by the company. Apache will also spend over $1 million to offset the harm caused by the alleged violations by replacing, on an accelerated schedule, more than 400 pollutant-emitting pneumatic devices with non-emitting devices.

Pound for pound, methane is approximately 28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in terms of its impact on global warming. Accordingly, a reduction of 900 tons of annual methane reductions equates to more than 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) and is akin to eliminating the use of more than 2.5 million gallons of gasoline annually. Greenhouse gases from human activities are a primary cause of climate change and global warming. This enforcement settlement furthers EPA’s commitment to deliver public health protections against climate-impacting pollution and other pollutants for communities across America and helps deliver on EPA’s top commitment in its strategic plan, which is to tackle the climate crisis.

The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for criteria pollutants that are considered harmful to public health and the environment. Ozone is a criteria pollutant that is created when oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and VOCs react in the atmosphere. VOCs and NOx are emitted by oil and gas production facilities, such as those operated by Apache. During the timeframes of Apache’s alleged violations, air quality monitors in the relevant counties in New Mexico registered rising ozone concentrations exceeding 95% of the NAAQS for ozone. In counties where ozone levels reach 95% of the NAAQS, NMED is required by New Mexico state statute to take action to reduce ozone pollution.

Apache Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of APA Corporation, which is engaged in the exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources in the United States. Apache Corporation is a large producer in the Permian Basin, which is a shale oil and gas producing area located in southeast New Mexico and West Texas.

This settlement is part of EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative, Mitigating Climate Change. EPA also has a webpage  on this settlement.

The Justice Department’s Environmental Enforcement Section lodged today’s proposed consent decree in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. The settlement is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval. The consent decree will be available for viewing on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees. The Federal Register notice will also include instructions for submitting public comment.

Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Queens

 

The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of a civilian who died on February 12, 2024 following an encounter with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Queens County. 

At 10:54 a.m. on February 12, NYPD officers responded to reports of shots fired at an apartment on Beach 51st Street in Queens. After arriving at the apartment, officers encountered a man who was allegedly holding what appeared to be a gun. The officers ordered him to drop the gun and when he failed to do so, an officer fired his service weapon. The man was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a BB gun at the scene.  

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident. 

These are preliminary facts and subject to change. 

Governor Hochul Announces Permanent Protection of 14,600 Acres of Ecologically Unique and Historically Significant Adirondack Forests, Wetlands, and Watershed

 

New Public-Private Research Consortium Will Guide Scientific Research of Globally Rare Ecosystem at Follensby Pond

New Conservation Easement Will Provide New Public Recreational Access to Raquette River Watershed  

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a historic agreement with The Nature Conservancy to permanently protect more than 14,600 acres of ecologically rare and culturally significant natural resources in the Adirondacks through two conservation easements and a research consortium initiative with New York State. This collaboration will provide new public recreational access in the Raquette River corridor and establish a first-of-its-kind freshwater research preserve to advance shared knowledge of freshwater ecosystems. The agreement permanently protects the Follensby Pond watershed and habitat that is situated in Haudenosaunee and Abenaki homelands and served as the base of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s ‘Philosophers’ Camp.’

“New Yorkers and visitors to this special region of the Adirondacks have long recognized the singular beauty and significance of Follensby Pond and the Raquette River,” Governor Hochul said. “In collaboration with The Nature Conservancy and many partners, we are preserving a unique natural resource so that all New Yorkers can enjoy this treasured and historic region for generations to come."

The ecologically, historically, and culturally significant property is located primarily in the town of Harrietstown, with a portion in the town of Tupper Lake, in Franklin County. The 14,645-acre parcel was first purchased by The Nature Conservancy in 2008 and includes 10 miles of frontage on the Raquette River and the 958-acre Follensby Pond. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and The Nature Conservancy entered into contracts for the State to purchase the two easements that will achieve a crucial balance between providing enhanced recreational opportunities in an area adjacent to State Forest Preserve lands and protecting a globally rare ecosystem while recognizing the long-term relationships that Indigenous People have with the region. The easements recently went under contract and are expected to close in early 2024.

Both the Raquette River and Follensby Pond parcels are priority projects in the State’s Open Space Conservation Plan and together form the largest protection of open space since the historic Finch Pruyn acquisition in 2012. DEC will pay The Nature Conservancy approximately $9.3 million in addition to other reimbursable transaction expenses for the conservation easements using resources from the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). The EPF supports climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, improves agricultural resources to promote sustainable agriculture, protects water sources, advances conservation efforts, and provides recreational opportunities for New Yorkers. Among the many environmental victories in the 2023-24 State Budget, Governor Hochul maintained EPF funding at $400 million, the highest level of funding in the program's history.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates

 

Dear Neighbor,

Thank you for joining us for another week in review. We hope you and your loved ones are staying warm this evening.

New York City Public Schools will be open and resume in-person classes tomorrow. All programs and activities will also be held as scheduled. However, residents are advised to use extra caution while traveling, as below-freezing temperatures may cause icy roadways and sidewalks during the evening and morning commute. For any additional updates, Sign Up for Notify NYC. Through Notify NYC, you can receive phone calls, text messages, and/or email alerts about weather events. To sign up for Notify NYC, visit Notify NYC online, call 311, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter. 

We also hope you will join us and the New York State Department of Labor as we host our 2nd Annual Bronx Career Fair this Thursday at Borough Hall from 10 AM - 2 PM. You will have the opportunity to speak to future employers and explore various career options.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

 

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

Heartbreaking news out of our Mount Eden community. Monday evening, we learned of a horrific shooting in our subway system. We encourage anyone with information on last night’s shooting in Mount Eden to please contact the authorities at 1-800-577-TIPS.

IN THE COMMUNITY

We are sounding the alarm on the increase of new HIV diagnoses we are seeing in our Black and Latino communities in the Bronx. Even as we have made significant strides in ending the epidemic, disparities continue to persist. According to data released by the New York City Health Department, in 2022, 1,624 people were newly diagnosed with HIV. Forty-three percent (43%) of newly diagnosed people were Black, and 40% were Latino/Hispanic.

We are calling for: 

Additional HIV testing in communities of color

Increasing access to PReP & PEP and other preventative care measures 

Support for our healthcare providers and credible messengers who understand the unique needs of our communities 

What we are doing: 

Partnering with Link NYC to disseminate information to at-risk neighborhoods 

Working with our LGBTQIA+ Task Force and HIV Roundtable to develop public policy recommendations to address this crisis

Our Black History Month celebration was a huge success! Thank you to our emcee, performers, keynote speaker, honorees, and everyone else who showed up and showed out to celebrate Black culture and history in our borough.

A new Mobile Medication Unit is coming to the Bronx. Thank you to the Acacia Network for ensuring our residents have access to bilingual, culturally competent, trauma-informed care, so we can continue to combat the opioid epidemic in our communities.

We want to thank the team at Univision for coming to the Bronx and highlighting the amazing things happening in our borough. From healthcare to education, economic development, tourism – there is so much for us to be proud of.

We look forward to our continued partnership with Univision connecting our Spanish -speaking residents to vital resources and information.

UPCOMING EVENTS

RESOURCES

Carpenters Recruit Apprentices

 

The Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the New York City District Council of Carpenters will conduct a recruitment from March 13, 2024 through February 12, 2025 for 25 carpenter apprentices, the New York State Department of Labor announced today.

Applicants must attend an in-person information session at the New York City District Council of Carpenters Training Center (NYCDCC Training Center), 395 Hudson Street (Clarkson Street entrance) 2nd floor, New York, New York 10014. Information sessions will be held on the second Wednesday of each month from 9 AM-10 AM for all trades during the recruitment period excluding the months of December and January. There will be no admittance after 9 AM. Off-site information sessions and virtual information sessions may be added if necessary. In order to receive an application, applicants must provide government-issued picture identification.

Please note, spaces are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applicants must sign in during the in-person information session. Failure to sign in will disqualify the individual from further consideration. At the conclusion of the information session, applicants will receive a passcode, which will allow them to access the application online. Applications will be available online during the recruitment period at www.nyccarpenterstrainingcenter.org. Completed applications must be submitted and received through the website portal (www.nyccarpenterstrainingcenter.org) within 60 days from the date of the information session. Failure to comply will disqualify the individual from further consideration.

Applications that meet all requirements will be scheduled for an interview at a future date. Applicants will only be allowed one interview and those that do not arrive on time to their scheduled interview will be disqualified from further consideration. Applicants will be provided with an instruction sheet and a list of original documents that will be required if they are accepted into the program.

The Committee requires that applicants:

• Must be at least 17 years old at the time of application.
• Must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (such as TASC or GED). Proof will be required after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.
• Must be physically able to perform the work of the trade without posing a direct threat to the safety of themselves or others.
• Must be physically able to perform the work of a Carpenter which may include:
• Working on scaffolds and in confined spaces.
• Working under conditions of inclement weather, such as rain, snow, cold, hear and direct sunlight,
• Performing constant repetitive motions.
• Climbing and working from heights.
• Lifting items weighing a minimum of 50 pounds.
• Standing and stooping for prolonged periods of time.
• Must pass a substance abuse screening, at the expense of the sponsor, within 48 hours of selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship, at a designated collection site designated by the JATC. Applicants that do not pass the substance abuse screening will be notified and disqualified from further consideration.
• Must agree to and sign Apprentice drug testing policy which provides for pre-enrollment testing, random testing, for-cause testing and post-accident testing.
• Must agree to sign Apprentice handbook which is subject to change anytime.
• Must travel to off-site training and agree to be financially responsible for certain costs related to such training in the event that the apprentice cancels, fails to show up or fails to successfully complete the program.
• Must be able to read, hear and understand verbal instructions and warnings in English.
• Must provide proof (detailed examples) of any trade-related experience, certification, or education, after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or have the legal right to work in the United States. Proof will be required after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.
• Must have reliable means of transportation to and from various job sites and classes at the approved school.
• Must provide DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, if applicable, after selection and prior to enrollment in apprenticeship.

For further information, applicants should contact New York City District Council of Carpenters at (212) 727-2224. Additional job search assistance can be obtained at your local New York State Department of Labor Career Center (see: dol.ny.gov/career-centers)

Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.

Attorney General James and NYSED Commissioner Rosa Secure $750,000 from College Board for Violating Students’ Privacy

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Education Department (NYSED) Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced a $750,000 settlement with College Board for violating students’ privacy and unlawfully selling their personal data. For years, College Board collected students’ personal information when they took the PSAT, SAT, and AP exams in school, and then licensed this data to colleges, scholarship programs, and other customers who used it to solicit students to participate in their programs. In 2019 alone, College Board improperly licensed the information of more than 237,000 New York students who took their exams. In addition, College Board improperly sent promotional materials to students who signed up for College Board accounts in connection with exams or AP courses. As a result of today’s agreement, College Board must pay $750,000 in penalties and will be prohibited from monetizing New York students’ data that it acquires through its contracts with New York schools and school districts. 

“Students have more than enough to be stressed about when they take college entrance exams, and shouldn’t have to worry about their personal information being bought and sold,” said Attorney General James. “New York law requires organizations like College Board to protect the data they collect from students when they take their exams in school, not sell it to customers for a profit. I want to thank Commissioner Rosa for her work on this investigation to ensure we hold College Board accountable and protect New York students’ privacy.”   

“When the organizations we trust to provide meaningful services to our students exploit student information for profit, it violates privacy laws as well as the public trust,” said Commissioner Betty A. Rosa. “We will continue to ensure that every student’s information is appropriately utilized and protected. We are grateful to the Attorney General for her collaboration in protecting the interests of the students and families of New York.”

College Board is a New York-based non-profit institution that develops and administers standardized tests, primarily to high school students who take them as part of the college admissions process. It also develops other college readiness programs, such as AP courses, and has a contract with NYSED to subsidize AP exam fees for low-income students. In addition, College Board operates the Student Search Service (Search), in which it licenses data it collects from students — including their names, contact information, ethnicity, GPAs, and test scores — to customers like colleges and scholarship programs to use for recruiting students. 

Beginning in 2010, College Board contracted with New York schools and school districts to allow schools to offer the PSAT and SAT exams during the school day and to pay for the students’ exam fees. In the past five years, approximately 20 New York schools or school districts, including the New York City Department of Education, which operates more than 500 high schools, have entered into such contracts. Schools across New York have also consistently signed agreements with College Board to offer AP courses and exams.  

An investigation led by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) revealed that prior to June 2022, College Board solicited students to provide information, such as their GPA, anticipated course of study, interest in a religiously affiliated college and religious activities, and parents’ level of income, during the administration of PSAT, SAT, and AP exams, as well as when students signed up for a College Board online account. Although providing this data for participation in Search was optional, students were solicited to participate in the urgent context of an important exam and were encouraged to sign up because it would connect them with scholarship and college opportunities. From 2018-2022, College Board licensed New York student data to over 1,000 institutions through Search and received significant revenue from data related to New York students who took PSAT, SAT, or AP exams during the school day.     

The investigation further found that College Board improperly used student data for its own marketing. Until fall 2022, College Board used student data collected in connection with PSAT and SAT exams administered during the school day to send marketing communications. In addition, until 2023, when New York students registered for the AP program, they were solicited to opt in to receiving College Board marketing materials. 

Under New York law, it is illegal to use student data obtained under a contract with a New York educational agency for commercial or marketing purposes. The investigation found College Board improperly used student data obtained in connection with PSAT and SAT exams administered during the school day and the AP program by licensing student data to Search clients and using student data to send its own marketing materials.  

Under the settlement announced today, College Board must pay $750,000 in penalties, disgorgement, and costs to the state. College Board is also prohibited from using New York student data it collects or receives in connection with a contract with a New York educational agency for any marketing or commercial purposes. This includes data obtained from administering PSAT, SAT, or AP exams during the school day. In addition, College Board cannot solicit students to participate in Search or similar programs during these exams. 

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: State Pension Fund Valued at $259.9 Billion at End of Third Quarter

 

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced that the estimated value of the New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund) was $259.9 billion at the end of the third quarter of state fiscal year 2023-24. For the three-month period ending Dec. 31, 2023, Fund investments returned an estimated 6.18%.

“The markets have seen an improvement over the past quarter, but some volatility remains,” DiNapoli said. “Economic opinions are mixed about the year ahead and uncertainty persists. Still, thanks to our prudent management and long-term strategy, our pensioners and members can remain confident that their pension benefits are safe.”

The Fund's value reflects retirement and death benefits of $4.2 billion paid out during the quarter. Its audited value was $248.5 billion as of March 31, 2023, the end of last state fiscal year.

As of Dec. 31, the Fund had 41.84% of its assets invested in publicly traded equities. The remaining Fund assets by allocation are invested in cash, bonds, and mortgages (22.62%), private equity (14.75%), real estate and real assets (13.30%) and credit, absolute return strategies, and opportunistic alternatives (7.49%).

The Fund’s long-term expected rate of return is 5.9%.

DiNapoli initiated quarterly performance reporting by the Fund in 2009 as part of his on-going efforts to increase accountability and transparency.

About the New York State Common Retirement Fund

The New York State Common Retirement Fund is one of the largest public pension funds in the United States. The Fund holds and invests the assets of the New York State and Local Retirement System on behalf of more than one million state and local government employees and retirees and their beneficiaries. It has consistently been ranked as one of the best managed and best funded plans in the nation.

CONSUMER ALERT: The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Alerts New Yorkers about Romance Scams

 

As Valentine’s Day Approaches, Learn How to Recognize and Prevent Romance Scams

Secretary Robert J. Rodriguez: “Don’t underestimate the lengths some scammers will go through to take advantage of your heart to try and steal your money. If you are exploring online dating, I encourage New Yorkers to follow the Division of Consumer Protection’s helpful tips to identify these common red flags.”

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for “Tuesday’s Tips” – Practical Tips to Educate and Empower New York Consumers on a Variety of Topics 

For this week’s “Tuesday’s Tips,” the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) is warning New Yorkers about romance scams and is offering information and tools to help identify and outsmart scammers who prey on people’s emotions and trust. Romance scams occur when a criminal lies about their identity and uses romantic interest to manipulate or steal from the victim. Thieves use different variations of these scams to deceive unsuspecting daters.

“Valentine’s Day means love is in the air, and for many finding that special someone leads to online dating as an easy way to meet their potential match,” said NYS Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “But don’t underestimate the lengths some scammers will go through to take advantage of your heart to try and steal your money. If you are exploring online dating, I encourage New Yorkers to follow the Division of Consumer Protection’s helpful tips to identify these common red flags.”

The internet provides anonymity, allowing criminals unlimited time to troll for potential victims. Romance scams have the potential to affect everyone. Some groups are more frequently targeted, however, such as seniors-- and especially widows, widowers and recent divorcees.

Common Elements of a Romance:

• Fake online profiles: Scammers create the illusion of someone you would be attracted to and trust. They seek opportunities to meet someone online and create profiles on a wide range of online platforms including social media, dating sites, messaging apps and porn sites. They may find images online to use in their profile to lure unsuspecting victims.
• Unexpected contact: Scammers may make contact online and use a variety of methods to learn about their victims. They will do online research or scroll the information on your social media profile in order to tap into your interests and emotions, spark a conversation and build a relationship.
• Build Trust: Scammers are patient and may communicate for weeks or months until they’ve earned your trust.
• Unavailable to meet in person: Scammers may propose an in-person meeting, claiming they will travel to see you, but then claim a last-minute emergency preventing it from happening. Scammers will often say they are working outside of the country creating a convenient reason not to meet in person. Be suspicious of anyone who says they want to meet but then always makes excuses for why they can’t.
• Request Money: Scammers often start by requesting small amounts of money and paying it back quickly to build trust. Eventually, the scammers may request a large sum of money, usually as a loan, to be wired to them for things ranging from business investments, property, debts, illness and more. They may even ask for money for airfare so they can visit you. Once they receive the money, the scammer will often ask for more or create a new reason they need to borrow money. This will continue until the victim becomes suspicious, at which point the scammer will usually stop all contact and disappear.
• Fake Cryptocurrency Investment: The FBI has identified a trend in which criminals are increasingly pressuring victims to invest in cryptocurrency. The scam starts as an online relationship, but instead of asking for cash, the scammer convinces the victim to investment in cryptocurrency. To demonstrate the returns on investment, victims are directed to fake websites that trick victims into believing these investment opportunities are legitimate. Once the victim makes a purchase, they are denied the ability to cash out their investments and the scammer vanishes.
• Liability: Scammers may convert their victims into unwitting criminals by convincing them to launder and move fraudulent funds, which the victim may then be liable for both financially and potentially criminally.

Tips to Avoid Romance Scams:

• If someone you haven’t met in person asks you for money, assume it is a scam, even if they say they need it for an emergency or traumatic life event. Never give or loan money to someone that you have not met in person.

• Remember that wire transfers, prepaid cards, gift cards, and cryptocurrency are all equal to sending cash that you cannot get back. If someone asks for these types of payments, assume it is a scam.

• Do not give out personal information to someone online, including payment and banking information, especially if you have not met them before.
• Use trusted online dating sites, but still exercise caution. Beware of online interactions that quickly ask you to leave a dating service or social media site to communicate directly.
• Be cautious of people you meet online who say they are an American abroad or a deployed soldier.
• Schedule a live video-chat early in the relationship to ensure they are the person they are presenting in their profile.
• Research anyone in whom you have an interest. Ask questions. Look them up online. Verify details where you can.
• Do a reverse image search of the person’s profile picture. If it is linked to another name or details that don’t line up, it’s likely a scam.
• Familiarize yourself with privacy settings for all your online platforms and consider limiting who has access to your personal information, contact lists and location.
• Turn off or cover your web cameras when you’re not using them.
• Don’t keep it a secret. Talk to a friend or relative about online interactions.

About the New York State Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers on product safety, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.

For more consumer protection tips, follow the Division of Consumer Protection on Facebook and Twitter.