News, updates and more from NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

 

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

CELEBRATING URBAN HEALTH PLAN WAY!

 

One of the largest medical providers and employers in the Bronx, Urban Health Plan, Inc.’s 50 years of service was commemorated with a street co-naming ceremony.

 

Originally started in 1968 as the San Juan Health Center to address health disparities in the South Bronx, Urban Health Plan has grown into offering comprehensive and affordable primary and specialty healthcare services with facilities including: 

 

their main site

eleven satellite heath centers

a mental health facility

twelve school programs

three part-time facilities

six administrative program sites, and

a new, state-of-the-art facility, currently under construction at 1095 Southern Boulevard, that I had the privilege of making possible via $20 million dollar in capital money I secured for the project.

BACK TO SCHOOL AGAIN!

 

Team Salamanca has officially kicked off our 2024 Back to School season!

 Millbrook Houses TA President Princess Jameson & TA Volunteers for letting us join in on your Family Day fun so we could hand out School Supply Kits to Bronx youth!

FRESH VIBES MOBILE FARMERS MARKET
 

With high inflation pricing driving up the food insecurity crisis in our City, it’s become all the more important to step up and help the most vulnerable members of our communities. 

Bronxites are now able to use the $100,000 in Health Bucks I secured to access quality, nutritious food

To close this growing gap, I partnered with Urban Health Plan, Inc. and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to bring the Fresh Vibes Mobile Farmers Market to the Bronx.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IN THE BRONX!

 

Did you know: Observed annually, National Night Out strives to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the community in order to foster safer neighborhoods. 

Team Salamanca braved the rain to stop by District 17 precincts to celebrate this growing partnership and commitment to safety that our community has benefited from thanks to our brave Bronx police officers. 

REVEREND HUBERT LEE REEVES WAY

It was a beautiful Sunday morning when we gathered at Sharon Baptist Church to honor the late Reverend Dr. Hubert L. Reaves with a street co-naming ceremony for his: 

 40 Years of Service

and 

 Licensing of 19 individuals to the gospel ministry, 18 of which were ordained, with 7 sons becoming Pastors in their own right.

BRONX-METRO NORTH AREA PLAN
 

My statement on the historic New York City Council Land Use Committee vote in favor of the Bronx-Metro North Project. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

We’re Back!

 Salsa Concert Series 2024

 Brenda K. Starr & Pete Nater & Associates

Al Quinones Playground (52 Playground - Beck Street & Avenue St. John)

 Wednesday, August 14, 2024

 7 PM

Visit our District Office at:  1070 Southern Boulevard Bronx, New York 10459 (718) 402-6130 salamanca@council.nyc.gov

CONSUMER ALERT: New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Shares Safety and Scam Prevention Tips for Students Heading Back to Campus

 

Students Can Learn Important Steps to Prevent Identity Theft and Other Safety Risks as They Start the New Academic Year 

Secretary Mosley: “Before heading back to campus, I urge students and their parents or caregivers to learn about the simple, but important, steps to take to help prevent identity theft, common scams and other safety risks that come with living on campus.” 

As many students begin heading to college, vocational or graduate school programs, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is sharing targeted scam prevention tips that can help students start the new academic year safely. New York State is home to nearly 300 higher education institutions– the second highest in the nation. Incoming students have many decisions to make at the start of the academic year, and while making choices independently is exciting, it can also be challenging and make students vulnerable to potential scams.

“Whether living away from home for the first time, navigating financial aid or building credit, students are often in new situations that make them vulnerable to potential scams,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “Before heading back to campus, I urge students and their parents or caregivers to learn about the simple, but important, steps to take to help prevent identity theft, common scams and other safety risks that come with living on campus.”

SCAM PREVENTION TIPS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS: 

Common Scams Targeting Students:

• Fake Scholarships, Grants or Loans: The required paperwork to apply for financial aid is the FAFSA form and it’s completely free. Visit FAFSA’s government’s website directly and don’t believe anyone who offers guarantees or pre-approvals for loans or grants.
• Unpaid Tuition Scam: Ignore calls claiming that you’ll be dropped from all classes unless you pay tuition immediately over the phone. Always call the school bursar’s office directly to verify your account status. Schools generally send an invoice to alert students of account status.
• Fake Employment or Internship Offers: Never pay an upfront fee to move forward in an interview process or provide too much personal information, such as your social security number, during the application or interview process.
• Buying Books Online: Scam artists set up fake websites and offer great deals on expensive textbooks but never deliver, leaving the student out of cash and with no textbook. Learn how to identify fake website listings for textbooks and supplies. Before you buy, do your research and confirm it’s a reputable source. Pay attention to contact information and return policies. Legitimate sites provide a physical address and working phone number in the contact section.
• Roommate/Rental Scam: Scammers pose as an individual selling or renting a property or as someone on behalf of a property owner. Potential renters are then solicited for money in exchange for promises that the homes will be shown to them or rented to them upon completion of payment. The scam is realized when there is no property for rent, or the property is already occupied.
• Credit Cards: If applying for a credit card for the first time, do your own research. Students are often targeted with misleading credit card offers that could be a veiled attempt at identity theft or may charge exorbitant annual fees and interest rates.

Protect Yourself from Identity theft:

• Understand the consequences: Higher education students are at great risk of identity theft, but you can minimize these risks by protecting yourself and keeping your information private. It’s important that you understand the consequences of identity theft. Criminals can use your personal information to build a fake identity and open new accounts or loans under your name. Restoring credit and correcting false information can be a costly and lengthy process so it’s best to prevent it before it happens.
• Keep all personal identifiable information private: Whether it’s in a dorm room, online or in any social situation, keep all information and documents containing personal information private and securely guarded. Personal identifiable information is information that, when used alone or with other relevant data, can identify a person.
• Remember to always keep a close hold on your social security number (SSN) and ask why it’s needed before deciding to share it. Oftentimes organizations include the SSN request as a formality, and it may not be mandatory. Ask if you can use a different kind of identifier.
• Personal documents, checkbooks, credit card statements and other personal papers should always be locked securely.
• When searching for and applying for student loans or other applications for financial aid, never share personal information via the phone or internet unless you have initiated contact.
• Shred pre-approved credit card offers and bills before disposing of them.

Practice Online Safety:

• Social media is a great place to connect with friends or catch up with the latest viral trend, but remember to save some secrets for yourself. Social media posts often reveal sensitive information unintentionally. Cybercriminals look for content that can reveal answers to security questions used to reset passwords, making accounts vulnerable to identity theft.
• Avoid downloading free music, games or apps.  Free downloads come with a price – identity theft. Often the free apps, music and games are tainted with keystroke logging malware.
• Avoid using public Wi-Fi or computers to shop online or pay bills.
• Monitor privacy settings on all online accounts.
• Before you get rid of your old laptop or smartphone, protect your data so it doesn’t end up in the hands of an identity thief. For tips on how to protect your data before getting rid of your devices, please see information from this Federal Trade Commission article.
• For more tips on how to stay safe online, please see information from this January 2020 consumer Alert.

College Dormitory Safety:

For those living on campus this fall, keep safety precautions in mind, especially for first-time residential students. Fires are one of the biggest hazards; the National Fire Protection Association reports that fire departments responded to over 3,000 fires at dormitories, sororities, fraternities and other related structures from 2017-2021. Be sure to check your dormitory for fire hazards and more, and have the following information handy:

• Locate the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms within your dorm or off-campus housing: Verify or obtain assurances that all alarms are in proper working order. Participate in any needed safety demonstrations on campus.
• Check for working sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers: Most at risk are those staying in off-campus housing where these systems are not regulated by the university.
• Locate the nearest emergency exits: Make note of where to go if there is an emergency.
• Never overload outlets with too many demands for power to prevent fires: Students with laptops, televisions, mini-refrigerators and more can overload the outlet and spark a fire.
• Review the emergency plan in case of fire or a carbon monoxide leak: Ensure all those residing in the room know where to meet and what to do if there is an emergency. Remember to call 911 in case of any emergency and follow safety protocol.

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, X 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. 

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. 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/consumerprotection. The Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or Facebook.

MAYOR ADAMS, COMMISSIONER MAYUGA ANNOUNCE LAWSUIT AGAINST NATIONAL FLOORS DIRECT OVER DECEPTIVE BUSINESS PRACTICES

 

Following Investigation, Lawsuit Seeks Consumer Restitution, Civil Penalties, and Suspension or Revocation of National Floors Direct’s Home Improvement Contractor License

 

Lawsuit Alleges National Floors Direct Committed Nearly 2,500 Counts of Violations of Consumer Protection Laws After Receiving Frequent Complaints Detailing Regular Predatory and Deceptive Practices

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga today announced a lawsuit against National Floors Direct, a nationwide company that sells and installs flooring, alleging nearly 2,500 counts of violations of the city’s consumer protection laws. The lawsuit alleges that National Floors Direct preys on consumers by targeting them with false advertisements, routinely misleading them about when service will begin, providing poor quality work, and refusing to offer refunds and cancellations in violation of the law. DCWP is seeking consumer restitution, civil penalties, and the suspension or revocation of National Floors Direct’s Home Improvement Contractor license. DCWP encourages consumers who were deceived or harmed by the company to file a consumer complaint online. 

 

“Renovating a home is one of the biggest investments a New Yorker will ever make, and that’s why consumers deserve to do business with fair and honest home improvement companies that don’t stiff their customers of thousands of dollars and leave them with shoddy work,” said Mayor Adams. “New York City has some of the strictest consumer protection laws in the nation, and we are going to enforce those laws against operators that try to take advantage of working-class New Yorkers. With this lawsuit, we are putting National Floors Direct and all others who think they are going to take advantage of New York’s consumers on notice: we are watching, and we will take action to protect consumers and recoup their money.”

 

“As we continue to build a more equitable economic future for our city, we must uplift New Yorkers and protect their essential consumer rights,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “The alleged conduct in this suit is unacceptable, and our administration’s action to hold them accountable is yet another example of our unwavering commitment to working-class New Yorkers and keeping money in their pockets.”

 

“National Floors Direct has truly set the floor for shoddy craftsmanship and their deceptive practices have left dozens of New Yorkers out of thousands of dollars because the company damaged their homes or simply refused to provide services,” said DCWP Commissioner Mayuga. “We are committed to protecting consumers and holding predatory companies accountable for violating the rights of our neighbors. If you have been harmed by National Floors Direct’s exploitative business practices, I urge you to reach out and file a complaint with us as soon as possible.”

 

National Floors Direct has regularly been one of the most complained about home improvement contractors in New York City over the last five years. Since 2019, DCWP has received 30 consumer complains about the company’s detailing predatory and deceptive practices, leading to the investigation.

 

The lawsuit, filed today, argues that National Floors Direct falsely advertises “free next day flooring installations” only to routinely delay and reschedule appointments multiple times, and then has refused to provide refunds when consumers try to cancel their contract due to the delays, leaving consumers frustrated and without the products or services they paid for. Worse, the company regularly misrepresents the work needed to fulfill contracts, like removing the existing flooring, adding on additional costs for the consumer to simply get what they thought they had already purchased. Consumers are left in the terrible position of either losing the money they have already paid or having to pay hundreds of dollars more than agreed upon to complete the installation. The suit highlights two consumers who were forced to pay nearly $1,000 in additional costs because National Floors Direct failed to disclose additional costs at the time of contract.

 

The lawsuit goes on to note that when National Floors Direct does fulfil a contract, the work is of such poor quality that consumers regularly pay additional costs just to repair the damage done to their homes. One consumer had to sew together the carpet she paid National Floors Direct to install because it began unraveling shortly after installation. Another had to replace the flooring National Floors Direct installed after just six months because portions were peeling off and uneven. National Floors Direct has refused to provide these consumers with refunds or fix their situation.

 

National Floors Direct routinely fails to disclose conditions or limitations on its “free” services and fails to disclose additional installation charges in its advertisements. The company offers discounts on basic installations, only to later inform consumers that removing existing flooring is not covered in a basic installation, adding additional costs to consumers.

 

Finally, the lawsuit claims that National Floors Direct interferes with and violates consumers’ rights to cancel contracts within the legally permitted three-day cancellation period. One consumer was told they were not allowed to cancel after just 24 hours and lost a $5,000 deposit. Another consumer was unable to reach anyone at National Floors Direct during the three-day period. The company illegally pocketed the money that these consumers had every right to get refunded.

 

In New York City, individuals and businesses must have a DCWP-issued Home Improvement Contractor license to do construction, repair, remodeling or other home improvement work that costs more than $200 to any residential building. The license does not cover new home construction, plumbing, or purely electrical work. New Yorkers should use DCWP’s License Lookup Tool to make sure a business is licensed with DCWP before entering into a contract with them. See DCWP’s Quick Tips When Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor for more information.

 

DCWP provides licensed home improvement contractors with a checklist (available in multiple languages) of legal requirements in order to help them avoid violations. In May, DCWP held a Home Improvement Contractor DCWP 101 educational webinar to help applicants and current licensees navigate the Home Improvement Contractor licensing process and understand some of the laws and rules contractors must comply with in New York City. DCWP urges consumers who believe that their contractor failed to perform work as agreed to, who owe them money, or who engaged in unlicensed activity to file a complaint at DCWP’s website or by calling 311.

 

Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr.'s Back-To-School Summer Bash

 

Friends, 

It’s that time of year again as the end of summer meets the start of the new school year. What better way to start things off right than with a new backpack and fresh school supplies?!

 

Join me and my team for an afternoon of fun and games FREE for the community!  

 

Details as follows: 

 

Where: Kossuth Playground

When: Saturday, August 17th

Time: 12pm - 4pm

 

Please remember that this is a first come/first served event and every adult must have their child present to receive a free back-to-school backpack and/or school supplies while supplies last. 

 

Looking forward to seeing everyone on August 17th!

 

In Gratitude

John Zaccaro, Jr. 

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on Major Cities Chiefs Association Violent Crime Survey

 

The Justice Department issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the release of the Major Cities Chiefs Association Violent Crime Surve, which shows a decrease in violent crime in the first six months of 2024 compared to the same time period last year:

“This data offers yet another indicator of a substantial reduction in violent crime in major cities across the country. In nearly 70 major cities across the country, violent crime has continued to drop during the first six months of this year compared to the same time period last year, including a 17% decrease in homicides.

This updated data comes in the wake of last year’s historic drop in homicides nationwide and one of the lowest levels of violent crime in 50 years. 

Three and a half years ago, the Justice Department launched an ambitious strategy to combat violent crime rooted in investing in our partnerships with other federal law enforcement agencies, with state and local law enforcement who risk their lives to keep their communities safe every day, and with the communities we all serve.  

The Justice Department’s work together with our partners to drive down violent crime is paying off.

But our message remains clear: we will not rest until every person and every community is safe from violent crime. 

We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners across the country to arrest violent felons, seize and trace guns used in crimes, disrupt violent drug trafficking, and make critical investments in police departments to hire more officers. And we will continue to work with our community partners to support life-saving initiatives aimed at preventing and disrupting violence before it occurs.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It should be noted that New York City was not included in the federal statistics.

Governor Kathy Hochul listed the following for New York City, 

• Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island – combined 3.5% decline.