NYS Department of State Division of Consumer Protection

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new state law will take effect that protects credit card holders from losing earned credit card rewards.

Closing credit card account but still have points? You’ve got 90 days to use your rewards…Because YOU earned them!🌟

🆕 law takes effect on 12/10 requiring companies to provide consumers 90-day grace period to use points/rewards after accounts close.

Learn more ➡️ https://on.ny.gov/47PnwXl

Tips for Choosing Safe Toys for Children this Holiday Season.

👉Look for the letters "ASTM." This means that a product meets national safety standards

👉Check the website for a list of recalled toys at http://cpsc.gov/recalls

Defending against “Porch Pirates”; keeping packages safe (WETM) — “Tis the season for giving and, unfortunately, stealing. Porch Pirates do some of their best/worst work over the holidays because gift giving season means more packages arrivin…

Aaarrrggghhh! Came home to find packages you were expecting missing from your doorstep? This holiday season porch pirates are out in full force.🏴‍☠️

So what can you do about it? Learn how with this week’s NYS Department of State Division of Consumer Protection ➡️ https://on.ny.gov/47XA12s

The best holiday decorations are safe decorations, so when decorating remember these tips:

✅Keep decorations at least 3 feet away from heat sources (fireplaces, radiators, candles)
✅Don’t run electric cords under rugs or furniture
✅Inspect your decorations and discard any that are damaged or worn out

announced recent recalls due to fire hazards. Items include:

-Berkshire Blanket & Home Company Heated Throws and Blankets (due to fire and thermal burn hazards)
-GE Electric Radiant Cooktop (due to burn hazard)

For details: https://cpsc.gov/Recalls

Many online shoppers report paying but never receiving a product or receiving a defective product from an independent seller.

To avoid this, follow these prevention tips:
✅Before you buy, do your research, and confirm it’s a reputable source.
✅Inquire about returns and warranties.
✅If possible, purchase items online using your credit card, because you can often dispute the charges if something goes wrong.

Do you know how to spot a fake consumer review in a retailer website?

Watch out for these red flags.

🚩Most reviews look very similar: a sign that the reviewers are either copying information or were all written by the same person.

🚩Most reviews are new or from a new account: Some reviews should be from long-standing members of the site.

Do you know how to spot a social media shopping scam?

Watch out for these red flags. 🚩
👉Bargain-basement prices that lure you to click on malicious links
👉Bogus websites advertising fake products

Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is! Do your due diligence & check the legitimacy of the website before providing credit card or personal information.

Tips to avoid scams on Cyber Monday According to the Better Business Bureau, online scams are happening 33% more often compared to last year.

Safely avoid Charity Scams with these helpful tips NEW YORK (WWTI) –The charitable spirit of New Yorkers is ever-present during the holiday season, it’s important that when choosing causes to donate to so that donations get to the right place…

This , don’t let your money fall into the hands of scammers! 💰

Read this week’s NYS Department of State Division of Consumer Protection before you donate: https://on.ny.gov/3GjLnCd

announced recent recalls due to injury hazards. Items include:

-Balloon Time Mini Helium Tanks
-ZLINE RG gas ranges
-Lenovo USB-C Laptop Power Banks

For details: https://cpsc.gov/Recalls

Don’t burn the Turkey!

Keep safety top of your mind this Thanksgiving. 🍂🍁

Remember:
✅ Never leave cooking food unattended on the stove or in the oven
✅ Only fry a turkey outside and away from your home. Never use turkey fryers in the garage or on the porch.

: Stop using Miracle Baby Loungers; Suffocation risk and fall hazard; Fail to meet federal safety regulation for infant sleep products; Sold exclusively on Amazon.com; Dispose of them.

https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Warns-Consumers-to-Immediately-Stop-Using-Miracle-Baby-Loungers-Due-to-Suffocation-Risk-and-Fall-Hazard-Failure-to-Meet-Federal-Safety-Regulation-for-Infant-Sleep-Products-Sold-Exclusively-on-Amazon-com

Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires with more than three times the average number for such incidents throughout the year.

Take preventative measures and make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

For more holiday safety tips: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2023/CPSC-Is-Working-to-Keep-Families-Safe-this-Holiday-Season

Encourages New Yorkers to Make an Energy Plan Ahead of Winter

New York State Programs Help New Yorkers Manage Energy Use, Reduce Energy Bills, and Explore Electrification Solutions

Governor Hochul Encourages New Yorkers to Make an Energy Plan Ahead of Winter Governor Hochul encouraged New Yorkers to prepare now to keep their homes and businesses warm heading into winter.

🚨 announced recent recalls due to fall hazard.

Items include:
👉KHAITE high heeled sandals
👉Red Shed® Hammock Swing Chairs

For details: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls

Navient, a private student loan lender and servicer, will pay $16 million to settle claims that it failed to discharge student loans for borrowers or co-borrowers who filed for bankruptcy.

If you have a Navient-owned student loan and
-you filed for bankruptcy on or after Oct. 17, 2005,
-you were required to repay your loan before filing bankruptcy,
-your loan discharge was approved by the bankruptcy court, and
-you have never reaffirmed the loan,

If you meet these requirements, you may be eligible for a refund of payments, a change in credit reporting for the loan, and ceased collection efforts.

Claim deadline: November 20, 2023

https://www.navientstudentloansettlement.com/

The weather is getting colder, more streaming time!

Don’t fall for scammers that send fake emails that imitate popular streaming services.

Regardless of which lie the scammer tells you, the goal is always the same: to get you to click on the malicious link embedded in the email. Remember to verify any issues by contacting your provider directly instead of clicking on the link.

Learn more about lithium-ion batteries with our consumer safety guide: http://on.ny.gov/3sCJk9i

Lithium-ion batteries supply power to everyday devices like smartphones, laptops, power tools & e-bikes. However, if not treated properly, these batteries can overheat and cause fires.

Learn more about lithium-ion batteries with our consumer safety guide: http://on.ny.gov/3sCJk9i

🚨 announced recent recalls due to safety hazard. Items include:

-Armada, Atomic, and Salomon ski bindings (Fall & Injury Hazards)
-Tow-Behind Field & Brush Mowers (Fire & Burn Hazards)

For details: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls

🚨 announced recent recalls due to safety hazard. Items include:

-IKEA LETTAN Mirrors (Laceration Hazard)
-Twin-Star Style, Black Infrared Quartz Electric Fireplace (Fire Hazard)
-iMOONZZZ-branded children’s nightgowns (Burn Hazard and Violation of Federal Flammability Standards)

For details: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls

If you’re looking for a last-minute deal on vacation homes for the holidays, follow these tips to help you spot potential fraud and protect your money.

✅Stay on the authenticated booking site
✅Research the rental property
✅Look for complaints
✅Pay with credit cards

Planning to visit family during the holidays?

Beware of scams disguised as deep discounts. This could be a scammer.

✈ Through fake websites & deceptive advertising, airline scams target travelers who are looking for good deals during the holidays.

Be wary of third-party websites offering cheap tickets for flights that are days away or too good to be true. This could indicate the work of a fraudster.

is preparing in-person information sessions and public statement hearings on Nov. 14 & Nov. 15 related to the filing for an increase to the gas rates by Brooklyn Union Gas (KEDNY) & KeySpan Gas East (KEDLI).

To register and provide a statement, click here to learn more: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:a658c566-643d-47f2-abb6-b9685e53fbc4

Beware of heating or furnace repair scams! Unlicensed contractors and scammers can take advantage with fake services and unnecessary products.

Remember to always:

✅Get references & check them
✅Research online the company’s name with words like “scam” or “complaint.”

For more tips,https://dos.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2023/04/housing-scams-guide_home-improvement.pdf

CVS agreed to pay $3.8 million to settle a case alleging that the retailer misrepresented its lidocaine products as delivering “maximum strength” relief, and its lidocaine patches as being able to adhere to skin for 8-12 hours.

You may be eligible for a payment if you purchased CVS-branded lidocaine patches, creams, spray and roll-on products labeled “maximum strength” between Dec. 11, 2017, and July 18, 2023.

Claim deadline: November 20, 2023

https://www.lidocainesettlement.com/

: Unsafe for children. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns consumers to immediately stop using Mollys Products’ sodium hydroxide products due to risk of chemical burns & irritation to the skin & eyes, & failure to meet child-resistant packaging requirements. Dispose of product immediately.

Full release: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Warns-Consumers-to-Immediately-Stop-Using-Mollys-Products-Sodium-Hydroxide-Due-to-Risk-of-Chemical-Burns-and-Irritation-to-the-Skin-and-Eyes-and-Failure-to-Meet-Child-Resistant-Packaging-Requirements-Sold-Exclusively-at

Have a safe and happy halloween with these safety tips!

Simple steps like checking candy after trick-or-treating, and keeping an eye out for trick-or-treaters while driving, will help keep everyone safe on Halloween.

CONSUMER ALERT: New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Provides Safety Tips for Adults and Children for an Enjoyable and Safe Halloween Celebration Don’t Get Tricked, Follow Key Safety Tips for a Fun Halloween Celebration

🚨 announced recent recalls due to safety hazard. Items include:

👉Insignia pressure cookers sold at Best Buy (burn hazard)
👉Cosco Jump, Spin & Play Activity Centers sold at Walmart (fall/injury hazard)

For details: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls

Don’t get tricked! For this week's , follow these key safety tips from the NYS Department of State Division of Consumer Protection to ensure a fun Halloween celebration for all! 🎃👻

Read more: https://on.ny.gov/3Sd5QQn

: 61,000 Biometric Gun Safes. The biometric lock on the gun safes can be opened by unauthorized users, posing a serious injury hazard and risk of death.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is aware of a recent lawsuit alleging a 12-year-old boy died from a firearm obtained from one of these safes. There have been 39 incidents of consumers reporting that their safes have been accessed by unpaired fingerprints. Get replacement. CONTACT: Fortress Safe toll-free at 833-588-9181, https://www.fortresssafe.com/biometric-product-recall.html or www.fortresssafe.com.

Full recall notice: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Fortress-Safe-Announces-Recall-of-Biometric-Gun-Safes-Due-to-Serious-Injury-Hazard-and-Risk-of-Death-One-Death-Reported

: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns consumers to immediately stop using Toos Elite 60-volt Electric Scooters due to Fire Hazard; Two deaths reported. The scooters were sold under the brand-name “Zooz” and “Toos” exclusively in Toos Urban Ride stores in New York and online.

Full release: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Warns-Consumers-to-Stop-Using-Toos-Elite-Electric-Scooters-Due-to-Fire-Hazard-Two-Deaths-Reported

During the month of October, over 130 colleges and universities throughout New York State are waiving their application fees for NYS College Application Month! This means you can apply to multiple colleges without the burden of application fees, making it easier and more affordable for you to pursue your college goals!

Click below for a complete list of participating schools and their fee waiver dates.

NYS Higher Education Services Corporation - NYS Colleges Waiving Application Fees NYS Colleges Waiving Application Fees During the month of October, over 130 colleges and universities throughout New York State are waiving their application fees for NYS College Application Month! This means you can apply to multiple colleges without the burden of application fees, making it easier...