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Department of Consumer Affairs
Office of Financial Empowerment
Cities for Financial Empowerment
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Pay Fines and Handle a Violation

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) issues violations (called Notice of Hearing) to businesses that do not comply with the laws DCA enforces. Most notices are issued by a DCA inspector during on-site business inspections. Businesses charged with a violation can settle the charge by paying a fine or appear at the administrative hearing.

PAYING A FINE                        ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING

Paying Online
Businesses can make fine payments online at NYCServ, New York City’s "e-Payment" Center. Businesses may pay by either debit or credit card or electronic check. CONVENIENCE FEES APPLY.

  • Debit/Credit Card Payment Fees:  There is a graduated fee for debit or credit card payments based on the amount of the transaction (as per Official Payments Corp. guidelines). View Fee Schedule
  • Electronic Check (E-Check) Fees: A $2.00 convenience fee is added to the total transaction when paying with an electronic check. A valid U.S. bank account and bank routing number are required. Payments are credited immediately, and the charge is debited within two business days.

In addition, the DCA Licensing Center at 42 Broadway, 5th floor, now provides online access to NYCServ

Paying In Person
Businesses can bring payments by check or money order in person to the DCA Collections office, located at 42 Broadway, 9th floor, in downtown Manhattan between Exchange Place and Beaver Street. Collections is open between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.


 

Administrative hearings are held at the DCA Adjudication Division, located at 66 John Street, 11th floor, New York, NY 10038. Businesses are required to attend the hearing. Otherwise, a default decision will be issued, which could result in fines.

At a hearing an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will hear testimony and take evidence from the consumer or from DCA’s representative, and from you and your witnesses. The purpose of the hearing is to give business owners an opportunity to appear before a fair and impartial ALJ and present a defense to the charge(s) in the Notice of Hearing.

If found guilty, the charged business faces penalties. If there is a pattern of violations in the business’s history, it could mean license suspension, revocation, or padlocking the business.

Read Administrative Hearings—A Guide for Businesses

 

 

 

 



Conducting a business fairly and honestly is the only way to generate the consumer trust needed to keep a business on a solid footing, and avoid penalties. DCA offers the resources below to help educate businesses about their rights and responsibilities.

Learn more about the laws enforced by DCA

Get guides and tips for businesses, including What Businesses Need to Know, to avoid common business violations.

Visit CityAdmin to get DCA Tribunal Decisions


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