CONSUMER ALERT: Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Issues Warning and Tips to Help Prevent Package Thefts During the Holiday Season

 

Online Purchases and Package Deliveries Increase During the Holiday Season, Leaving More Consumers Vulnerable to Package Theft

 

Secretary Mosley: “While you’re preparing to spread holiday cheer with those gifts, thieves may be trying to steal both from you.”

The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is sharing tips on how consumers can protect themselves from thieves trying to steal packages from their homes this holiday season. According to the National Retail Federation, holiday shopping on Black Friday through Cyber Monday, both online and in-store, set record levels for consumer spending, indicating shopping is showing no signs of slowing down. The increase in shopping can lead to an increase in package deliveries, leaving more consumers vulnerable to package theft. According to the Better Business Bureau, package thieves stole more than $18 billion in merchandise over the last year.

“Many consumers have already started or finished their online holiday shopping for the season and are now waiting for their gifts to be delivered to their doorsteps,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “While you’re preparing to spread holiday cheer with those gifts, thieves may be trying to steal both from you. If you’re expecting deliveries this holiday season, make sure you’re taking added precautions and keeping track of your packages to prevent them from being stolen.”

 

Follow these tips to prevent package theft and identity theft while checking things off your shopping list:

 

• Keep track of your packages: Package theft peaks during the holiday season, so keeping track of your deliveries is critical to prevent theft. Delivery companies offer real-time tracking and the option to receive customized alerts so you can stay on top of your holiday shipments once they arrive and retrieve your packages as soon as they’re delivered.
• Schedule deliveries when someone is home: Many online retailers and delivery companies allow consumers to schedule specific delivery timeframes. Choose a timeframe when someone will be home to avoid potential theft. When you are home, closely monitor delivery progress via tracking links and bring the package inside as soon as possible to limit the window of vulnerability.
• Enlist your neighbor’s help: If you’re not going to be home, enlist the help of a trusted neighbor. When possible, have your packages delivered to a location where they can be received in person.
• Monitor your front door with a security or doorbell camera. While a camera may not deter thieves, the presence of a camera can help you keep track of when packages are delivered so you can retrieve them quickly. If a package is stolen, the video recording of the theft can also be shared with police.
• Take advantage of the "Ship to Store" option: Many retailers offer a "ship to store" option. This means that you can order items online and have them sent to a local brick-and-mortar store. You can then pick up your purchase at a time convenient for you.
• Consider alternative delivery options: Most delivery companies have alternative pickup and delivery options available. Some include redirecting packages to a local merchant partner or holding packages at their location. Do some research by visiting their websites to explore your options and update your delivery preferences. If you know you’re going to be on vacation, request a vacation hold on all shipments.
• Opt for other services: If you’re doing most of your shopping online, consider alternative services like a package locker, lockbox or smart lockers.
• Require delivery confirmation signature: Consider requesting a signature for packages, especially for high-ticket items. This will ensure your items are not left unattended when delivered. This may require choosing a pricier shipping option.
• Find out how a delivery company will communicate with you:Depending on how you signed up for notifications, messages from a delivery company are usually posted within a secure online portal. Delivery companies will never contact you with unsolicited calls or texts. If you receive an unexpected call, hang up and call the company using the official customer service number to verify its legitimacy.
• Beware of phishing attempts: Another common scam this time of year is scammers using phishing emails and text messages to impersonate delivery companies (e.g., UPS, USPS, FedEx), banking and credit card companies and other large retailers (e.g., Netflix, PayPal, eBay, Amazon), which often include links to sites attempting to steal your information.  Common phishing techniques include:
• Suspicious links. These messages often look legitimate, but if you click the link, your usernames and passwords for your online banking, email or social media accounts could be compromised according to the Federal Trade Commission. Always open a browser and type the company’s website address yourself instead of clicking on a link in an email or text message.
• Request for personal information: You receive an unexpected text from a delivery driver or a post office asking you to verify your address. If you call a number from an unsolicited message, you will then be asked to confirm your personal information and may be asked to provide your credit card information to pay a delivery fee. If you did not recently order a product, the caller may try to convince you the package is a gift from a friend or family member. In either scenario, the package does not exist. Providing your personal information to a scammer puts you at risk of falling victim to identity theft.

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 https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. The Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or Facebook.

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Local Sales Tax Collections Up 3% in November

 

Local sales tax collections in New York state increased by 3% in November compared to the same month in 2023, according to data released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Overall, local collections totaled $1.86 billion for the month, up $53 million year over year, with New York City accounting for 61.5% of the increase.

“Local sales tax growth in November was a bit stronger compared to the 1.9% year-to-date increase,” DiNapoli said. “New York City’s collections continue to drive statewide growth, accounting for a majority of the overall increase. Still, monthly collections are subject to volatility, and local officials should take this into consideration when budgeting for future sales tax revenue.”

In November:

• New York City’s collections totaled $848 million, an increase of 4% compared to the same time last year.
• County and city collections in the rest of the state totaled $903 million, an increase of 1.8%.
• 61% (35 of 57) of counties experienced year-over-year increases.

Monthly sales tax collections are the cash distributions made to counties and sales tax-imposing cities by the state Department of Taxation and Finance. The amounts are based on estimates of what each municipality is due. In the third month of each calendar-year quarter, these distributions are adjusted upward or downward, so that the quarter as a whole reflects reported sales by vendors. The next quarterly numbers (for October-December) will be available in January 2025.

Data

Monthly Local Sales Tax Collections by County and Region 

Related Report

Third Quarter 2024 Local Sales Taxes

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES NEW YORK CITY HAS WON $40 MILLION IN EPA GRANTS TO ELECTRIFY HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES, SCHOOL BUSES

 

Federal Funding Will Allow City to Replace 55 Diesel Vehicles With EVs, Doubling City’s Existing Heavy-Duty EV Fleet

Will Also Allow City to Add 109 More Electric School Buses to Fleet

City’s Heavy Duty Vehicle Electrification Program Will Reduce Annual Emissions by 700 Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide — Equivalent of Planting a Central Park-Sized Forest

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that the city and its partners have won approximately $40 million in competitive grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2024 Clean Heavy Duty Vehicles Program. The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ (DCAS) $17.3 million award will allow the city to replace 55 diesel trucks with electric vehicles (EV), as well as to add 10 additional fast chargers across the city and expand EV training for city mechanics. Additionally, with city support, the New York City School Bus Umbrella Services, Inc. won an approximately $32 million grant to purchase an additional 109 electric school buses for city students. It builds on unprecedented success of the city's Federal Infrastructure Funding Task Force in winning grant funding from the Biden-Harris administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Under Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi's leadership, the task force has secured more than $2.3 billion in grants — $1.3 billion of which were through competitive applications — to support upgrades to New York City's infrastructure and prepare for the impacts of climate change.

“Building a safer city also means protecting New Yorkers from dangerous emissions and the impacts of climate change — and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said Mayor Adams. “These $40 million in grants — part of the over $2.3 billion in federal infrastructure grants that we’ve won — will allow us to take dozens of heavy-duty diesel trucks and more than a hundred polluting school buses out of our city’s fleet and replace them with clean, zero-emissions vehicles. My thanks to the EPA for these grants, and to all of our city agencies, fellow elected officials, and advocates who made it a reality.”

“We continue to make it rain for New York City, this time with $40 million in grants to reduce emissions of our heavy-duty fleet and build on our efforts to electrify our school buses and industrial parks like Hunts Point,” said Deputy Mayor Joshi. “Deep thanks to the Biden-Harris administration for working with us to make New York City one of the most prepared cities in the nation, doing our part to protect our planet and spur good green jobs.”

“Our school system isn’t only educating tomorrow’s sustainability leaders—we’re also working hard to make our city a greener place for the next generation,” said New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “Thanks to this grant, as our students learn about climate action in school, they can know that the transportation they take to school is also working to support our planet and city. We’re grateful to our partners at the EPA for helping us to make this work possible.”

“Electric vehicles are the way of the future; they’re cleaner, produce zero emissions, and, with over 5,400 already in our fleet, we’re showing our commitment on the streets of the city,” said DCAS Commissioner Louis A. Molina. “Thanks to this $17 million grant from the EPA, we’re not just bolstering the greenest fleet in the nation, we’re also investing in the physical infrastructure and the knowledge base needed to maintain it.”

Vehicles being replaced with new zero emission models include:

• Diesel-powered food delivery trucks that deliver hot food and supplies to correctional facilities.
• Refuse haulers and mechanical brooms that contribute to the collection of 24 million pounds of recyclables, trash, and compostable material annually citywide.
• Rack trucks, which carry equipment for road repairs and maintenance and traffic control, and attenuator trucks designed to improve work zone safety on roads and highways during road work and construction activities.
• Utility, tapping, valve, and attenuator vehicles, which are used to maintain the infrastructure that provides drinking water and processes wastewater and runoff citywide, including 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels, and aqueducts, 7,500 miles of sewer lines, and 153,000 miles of catch basins.

Beyond the 55 new heavy duty zero emissions vehicles, DCAS will also invest in new workforce development and training to support the maintenance, charging, fueling, and operation of zero-emissions vehicles. This will include driver, mechanic, and other essential personnel training related to the maintenance and operation of new technologies and electrician training to install electric vehicle supply equipment. Ten additional fast chargers will be installed to support DOT electric vehicles citywide, expanding DCAS’s largest-in-the-state charging network of more than 2,100 chargers. To date, over 76 percent of the city’s fleet — more than 21,000 vehicles — now use sustainable alternative fuels, including electric, hybrid electric, solar, and biofuel.

Through the city’s Federal Infrastructure Funding Task Force, the city and its partners have won a wide range of grants, including but not limited to:

• $164 million to help transform the Brooklyn Marine Terminal into a modern, 21^st-century maritime port and vibrant mixed-use community hub.
• $127 million, across several successful applications, to acquire nearly 400 electric school buses.
• $117 million to construct the next phase of the Queensway, a new linear park being built on a vacant corridor of the former Long Island Rail Road Rockaway Beach Branch.
• $100 million to construct Cloudburst stormwater management projects in Corona and Kissena — low-lying neighborhoods subject to frequent flooding.
• $96 million to construct a segment of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway along 10^th Avenue in Inwood.
• $57 million to help 1-4 family homes and affordable housing developments afford solar panels.
• $25 million to add electric micromobility charging and storage stations to New York City Housing Authority developments.

FOLLOWING SIGNIFICANT UPSTATE RAINFALL, MAYOR ADAMS DOWNGRADES CITY DROUGHT POSTURE FROM WARNING TO WATCH

 

Significant Rainfall in Watershed and Melting Snowpack in Mountain Regions Greatly Improved Reservoir Storage Levels  

  

Pausing $2 Billion Delaware Aqueduct Repair Project Enabled DEP to Optimize Flow,  Enhance Water Supply Flexibility to Meet City Water Demands 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala downgraded the city’s drought warning to a drought watch. Significant rainfall and melting snowpack in the city’s upstate watershed have significantly replenished reservoir levels, decreasing the risk of a water shortage. Additionally, the temporary pause of the $2 billion Delaware Aqueduct repair project has restored flow from four critical reservoirs and enhanced water supply flexibility to meet the city's water demands. As a result of all of these factors, Mayor Adams has downgraded the drought warning and water-saving measures previously implemented by city agencies. Additionally, last week, Mayor Adams lifted the temporary citywide ban on open flames and fireworks following recent rainfall in the five boroughs. 

  

“Thanks to recent precipitation and melting snowfall upstate, in addition to our decision to pause the Delaware Aqueduct repair project, we’re in a much better place than we were a few weeks ago, allowing us to downgrade our drought warning to a drought watch,” said Mayor Adams. “If conditions continue, we hope that, in the coming weeks, we will be able to rescind the watch as well. However, it’s a good reminder of the kind of world climate change is creating: a world with more extreme weather events and more dangerous impacts. We’ll continue doing everything we can to secure our water supply, guard against the impacts of a warming world, and keep New Yorkers safe.” 

  

“New Yorkers and our fellow city agencies have shown remarkable resilience and commitment to conserving water during these unprecedented conditions. Thanks to significant rainfall, melting snowpack, conservation efforts, and strategic adjustments to our infrastructure projects, we’re able to lift the drought warning,” said New York City Chief Climate Officer and DEP Commissioner Aggarwala. “As we confront a changing climate, we need to use our natural resources more wisely. Continuing to practice water conservation is a sustainable habit valuable even outside times of drought.” 

  

Mayor Adams and Commissioner Aggarwala first issued a drought watch back on November 2, as the city was experiencing the driest spell in recorded history. They upgraded the drought watch to a drought warning on November 18. The historic lack of precipitation led to unprecedented challenges, including brush fires within the city and the watershed. The long-lasting lack of precipitation led DEP to take extraordinary steps to safeguard the city’s water supply.  

  

New York City’s complex reservoir system is extraordinarily robust and was designed for resilience, capable of operating effectively even at below-average levels. In addition to the much-needed recent wet weather in the watershed, an analysis of weather patterns indicate consistent precipitation in the forecast, ensuring reservoir levels will continue to rise. Reopening the Delaware Aqueduct, the world’s longest tunnel of any kind, has allowed DEP to optimize flow with this recent influx of rainwater. With all three reservoir systems — the Delaware, the Croton, and the Catskill — now fully operational, DEP has increased flexibility to meet the city's water needs. 

 

 

Map of New York City’s water supply. Credit: DEP 

  

When the city decided to move forward with the final phase of the Delaware Aqueduct repair project this year, weather models had predicted a wetter-than-usual fall. The final phase involves connecting a 2.5-mile bypass tunnel near Newburgh to prevent a decades-old, 35-million-gallon a day leak under the Hudson River. In order to initiate that last portion of work, DEP stopped the flow of water from the four reservoirs that feed into the Delaware Aqueduct and increased the city’s reliance on the Croton and Catskill systems. DEP also completed significant capital projects to prepare for this phase, including increasing the Catskill Aqueduct’s capacity, upgrading infrastructure across the watershed, and more. 

  

Although contingency plans showed the project able to be successfully completed even if rainfall was well below average, the historic dry spell forced DEP to pause the project last month. The lack of rain upstate meant that water reserves across all reservoirs were not where they needed to be to complete the project in the spring. Pausing the project allowed DEP to protect the long-term health of the water supply while continuing to provide New Yorkers with the best drinking water in the world. DEP is optimistic that work will resume on this critical repair next fall. 

  

New York City has been successful in conserving water for decades. The city's average daily water demand has decreased by approximately 35 percent over the past several decades, even as the city's population has grown by more than 1 million people. During its peak, in 1979, the city's average water usage was 1.5 billion gallons of water a day. Thanks to improved management strategies — systemwide leak detection and repairs, replacing old meters with automated meter readers, and providing an online platform for customers to track and monitor water usage and quickly detect leaks in their buildings — the city now uses just 1.1 billion gallons a day on average, and under 1 billion gallons during the winter months. 

  

DEP manages the nation's largest municipal water supply system, which provides high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.3 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels, and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs. 

 

New Yorkers should continue to minimize water usage where possible, and Mayor Adams reminded New Yorkers of the following ways they can conserve:  

 

•   Report open fire hydrants and street leaks to 311. An open hydrant can release more than 1,000 gallons per minute, which wastes 1.4 million gallons of drinking water in a 24-hour cycle.    

•   Don't flush the toilet unnecessarily. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), toilets are by far the main source of water use in a home, accounting for nearly 30 percent of an average home's indoor water consumption. Each flush can use 1.6 gallons, with older models using as much as six gallons.    

•   Take shorter showers, saving five to seven gallons a minute. When taking a bath, fill the tub only halfway and save 10 to 15 gallons.    

•   Don't run the tap while shaving, washing hands, or brushing teeth. Faucets use two to three gallons per minute.    

•   Fix leaks. A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year, according to the EPA.    

•   Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when full. Use short cycles if available. Turn off the water while washing dishes.    

•   Install water-saving fixtures, including low-flow toilets and showerheads, as well as faucet aerators.    

•   Sweep driveways and sidewalks clean rather than washing them down with a hose.    

•   For even more ideas, visit DEP's Water Savings Tips website.     

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

 

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

ANNUAL COAT DISTRIBUTION!

 

 With winter quickly approaching, Team Salamanca hosted our annual Coat Distribution - ensuring that 500 Bronx youth will be protected from the cold weather, decked out in their new winter jackets, hats, and gloves!

Shoutout to all of this year’s co-sponsors for all you do to give back to our kids and our community: Southern Boulevard Business Improvement District, Freddy Perez Jr, Urban Health Plan, Inc., Ponce Bank, JD Sports, Spring Bank, 41st. Precinct Community Council, and Bronx Community Board 2

COMMUNITY HOLIDAY PARTY!

 The Bronx kicked off the holiday season in style with great merriment, laughter, and a whole lot of dancing! 

Thank you to everyone who attended our Annual Community Holiday Party—it was the biggest one we’ve had yet!

NEW YORK HOUSING CONFERENCE AWARDS GALA!

Thank you to the New York Housing Conference for bestowing me with the Number One Affordable Housing Producer Award!

Knowing firsthand the struggles of finding affordable housing in our city, I made it a priority during my tenure to increase access to truly affordable housing in my Borough. 

I’m proud to have approved over 10,000 units in my District alone and I look forward to continuing our work in bringing housing equity to all New Yorkers.

RESPECT & JUSTICE 4 PUERTO RICO AWARDS CEREMONY!

It was an honor to receive the Uráyoan Award from Respect & Justice 4 Puerto Rico in recognition of my unwavering support and service to the Puerto Rican community. 

As a Puerto Rican kid representing the largest diaspora of Puerto Ricans in NYC, it’s the greatest privilege to serve my ancestral community & promote the beauty of our culture. 

REOPENING OF THE MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY!

 Libraries provide safe spaces where we can gather to learn, enjoy our love for books, gain access to new technology, and foster a sense of community.

It was an honor to join NYPL The New York Public Library as we celebrated the reopening of the Melrose Public Library!

A $34 million revitalization project, I was proud to allocate $1,321,000 towards restoring this beautiful library into a learning & community hub for the Bronx.

HOLIDAY SEASON KICKOFF IN THE BRONX!

 The Holiday season got off to a festive start in the Bronx:

It was a joy to welcome Bronxites to the Bronx Zoo for our annual Holiday Lights Community Day where we enjoyed a tree lighting ceremony, holiday lights tours, musical performances & ice carvings, and to join Castle Hill Little League/ Castle Hill RBI for their annual tree lighting ceremony! 

Thank you to the staff and volunteers at The Bronx Zoo & Castle Hill Little League for putting on these events for our community to enjoy!

IN THE MEDIA

NEWS 12 BRONX

"We're not just talking about books, you know, we're talking about technology access, access to Wi-Fi, access to computers. It also has a safe space for our adolescents," said Rafael Salamanca Jr.

Read more on the reopening of the Melrose Public Library from News 12 The Bronx👇

https://bronx.news12.com/melrose-public-library-reopens-with-major-improvements

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