Thrifty Furniture Sellers Settle In Frederick County For Shifty Scam Thrifty Furniture Sellers Settle In Frederick County For Shifty Scam
Thrifty Furniture Sellers Settle In Frederick County For Shifty Scam Several business owners in Maryland will face no further prosecution after reaching an agreement to refund payments for work that was unfulfilled or failed to match expectations, the Attorney General's Office announced. The AG’s Consumer Protection Division has reached a settlement of the civil charges against Christopher Engel, Karol Engel, Matthew Dihel, MOCHA Furniture Limited Liability Company, Urbana custom décor Limited Liability Company, and Farmstead Custom Furniture LLC in Frederick County, according to AG Brian Frosh. Frosh said the group was "collectively charged with v…
Beware Of These Summer Rental Scams, NY AG Says Beware Of These Summer Rental Scams, NY AG Says
Beware Of These Summer Rental Scams, NY AG Says With the summer vacation season just around the corner, New York Attorney General Letitia James is warning of possible rental scams. “As millions of New Yorkers plan their getaway trips and look to rent homes, they should be mindful of scammers that misrepresent rentals or list fake homes online that do not actually exist, tricking consumers into paying and leaving them with nowhere to stay,” James’ office said in a statement. She offered several tips for would-be vacationers to avoid falling victim to fraud, including: Verify the host. Make sure the renter or host has a valid address and…
Gas Sales Tax Cap To Take Effect In This Hudson Valley County Gas Sales Tax Cap To Take Effect In This Hudson Valley County
Gas Sales Tax Cap To Take Effect In This Hudson Valley County Motorists in one Hudson Valley county will see some financial relief at the gas pump as prices continue to rise to record levels nationwide. In Rockland County, beginning on Wednesday, June 1, the local sales cap tax on gas will be capped at $2 per gallon, amid the record spike in prices at the pump. According to officials, the change means sales tax will only be applied to the first $2 of a gasoline purchase, as opposed to the full gas price. The cap will be in effect through Feb. 28, 2023. Officials said that inspectors from the Rockland County Office of Consumer Protection "have been…
Three NJ Auto Dealers Pony Up $400,000 To Resolve Ripoff Claims, Promise Not To Do It Again Three NJ Auto Dealers Pony Up $400,000 To Resolve Ripoff Claims, Promise Not To Do It Again
Three NJ Auto Dealers Pony Up $400,000 To Resolve Ripoff Claims, Promise Not To Do It Again Three New Jersey auto dealers accused of ripping off customers agreed to pay nearly $400,000 combined to end a state investigation while promising not to do it again, authorities announced. Buyers of both new and used vehicles have already been frustrated by supply chain issues, Acting Attorney Matthew J. Platkin said in a joint release with the state Division of Consumer Affairs on Friday, May 20. Now this. “Dodging illegal practices should be the last thing New Jerseyans have to worry about as they search for a vehicle in this challenging market,” the attorney general said. Platkin iden…
First Black Woman To Serve As US Attorney For District Of Connecticut Takes Command First Black Woman To Serve As US Attorney For District Of Connecticut Takes Command
First Black Woman To Serve As US Attorney For District Of Connecticut Takes Command A longtime lawmaker in Connecticut has checked off a new milestone. Vanessa Roberts Avery, age 47, of West Hartford, has been sworn in as the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut, making her the first Black woman to fill that position. “It is an honor to return to this office, in the city where I was raised, to serve as Connecticut’s U.S. Attorney,” Avery announced.  “I look forward to working with the many talented members of this office, as well as our dedicated law enforcement partners, to enforce federal criminal and civil laws, protect our communities, and ensure justice …
NY Officials Direct Major Utilities To Increase Customer Outreach As Bills Increase NY Officials Direct Major Utilities To Increase Customer Outreach As Bills Increase
NY Officials Direct Major Utilities To Increase Customer Outreach As Bills Increase State officials sent letters to New York's major electric and gas utilities, directing them to improve their outreach to customers as utility bills have increased due to surging energy prices. Gov. Kathy Hochul said her administration has also launched a statewide campaign to increase relief efforts for customers with lower incomes. "The extreme utility bill increases all of us are seeing are having a serious impact on our household budgets, and in response we are taking action," Hochul said. "I have directed the Department of Public Service to ensure all the major electric and gas utilitie…
Bad Actors Using Apple AirTags To Track People's Locations, Personal Belongings, NY AG Warns Bad Actors Using Apple AirTags To Track People's Locations, Personal Belongings, NY AG Warns
Bad Actors Using Apple AirTags To Track People's Locations, Personal Belongings, NY AG Warns The New York Attorney General is cautioning about bad apples who have been using Apple to track their locations and belongings. Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert with safety recommendations to protect New Yorkers from bad actors who have been using Apple AirTags to track individuals’ locations and belongings with malicious intent. According to the AG, those targeted have reported finding unknown AirTags attached to their cars, and in their purses, coat pockets, and other personal property. Others have reportedly received alerts on their phones that their location inform…
NY AG Alerts Residents To Deceptive Sports Betting Companies Ahead Of Super Bowl NY AG Alerts Residents To Deceptive Sports Betting Companies Ahead Of Super Bowl
NY AG Alerts Residents To Deceptive Sports Betting Companies Ahead Of Super Bowl Attorney General Letitia James advised New Yorkers to be aware of deceptive online sports betting organizations ahead of the Super Bowl. James said since online sports betting became legal in the state last month, many residents have encountered misleading ads online that make claims such as "risk-free bets" or "$1,000 welcome offers." She said these deceptive ads often come with requirements consumers aren't aware of. “I urge all New Yorkers watching the Super Bowl and betting online for the first time to be careful — don’t let scammers game your gamble,” James said. “Before placing a bet…
1.1M Accounts Compromised In Cyberattacks Of 17 Companies, NY AG Investigation Finds 1.1M Accounts Compromised In Cyberattacks Of 17 Companies, NY AG Investigation Finds
1.1M Accounts Compromised In Cyberattacks Of 17 Companies, NY AG Investigation Finds An investigation by the New York Attorney General's Office found that more than 1.1 million accounts were compromised in cyberattacks of 17 companies. Attorney General Letitia James said in an announcement on Wednesday, Jan. 5, that the "Credential Stuffing Attacks" involve repeated, automated attempts to access accounts by using information stolen from other websites. James said often people reuse the same passwords on different sites, which allows cybercriminals to use stolen passwords on other websites.  “Right now, there are more than 15 billion stolen credentials being circu…
NJ Co-Leads Nationwide Consumer Protection Probe Into Whether Instagram Is Putting Kids At Risk NJ Co-Leads Nationwide Consumer Protection Probe Into Whether Instagram Is Putting Kids At Risk
NJ Co-Leads Nationwide Consumer Protection Probe Into Whether Instagram Is Putting Kids At Risk New Jersey is co-leading a nationwide investigation into whether Instagram is violating state consumer protection laws and putting children, teenagers and young adults at risk, Acting State Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck announced Thursday. "Emerging research" suggests a connection between increased time spent online by young people and "depression, anxiety, isolation, body image issues, cyber-bullying, eating disorders, and sleeplessness," among other symptoms, said Bruck (photo above). Research by Meta Platforms Inc. -- the parent company of both Instagram and Facebook -- shows fou…
Philly Influencer Used Social Media Following To Rip Off Black Community, AG's Lawsuit Says Philly Influencer Used Social Media Following To Rip Off Black Community, AG's Lawsuit Says
Philly Influencer Used Social Media Following To Rip Off Black Community, AG's Lawsuit Says A Philadelphia business owner is facing a lawsuit filed by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro accusing her of using her social media presence to steal thousands of dollars from consumers. The suit alleges that Dana Chanel, whose real name is Casey Olivera, and co-owners of the four businesses named "misled consumers and failed to deliver goods and services as promised." “Dana Chanel built a following online by presenting herself as a black woman-owned small business success story,” Shaprio said. “She advertised the products of her companies as a way for other black small business ow…
Five NJ Gas Stations Pay $138,000 For Overcharging Customers Five NJ Gas Stations Pay $138,000 For Overcharging Customers
Five NJ Gas Stations Pay $138,000 For Overcharging Customers Five North Jersey gas stations were caught overcharging customers -- including claiming that regular gas was premium -- and now must pay up, state authorities said. In a settlement aimed at protecting consumers, Sukhdev Singh and his stations in Newark and Belleville will pay the state more than $138,000 collectively, and promised not to do it again, under an agreement that kept formal charges from being filed, Acting New Jersey Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck said. Bruck identified the stations on Monday as: KP Fuel, 864 Mt. Prospect Ave, Newark; BK Fuel, 108 Bloomfield Ave, Newark; Mil…