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DCA Advises Consumers to Beware of Banks’ Use of Text Messaging to Enroll Them into Expensive Overdraft Protection ServicesAfter July 1, it will be illegal for banks to automatically enroll consumers in overdraft protection programs without their express permission. Commissioner Mintz sent letters to a marketing firm cautioning against aggressive text-message marketing and to the Federal Reserve urging them to prohibit banks from using text messages to obtain consumer consent for overdraft protection enrollment. To protect consumers, DCA continues to monitor banks’ marketing practices in the months ahead.  Read press releaseRead DCA’s Open Letter to Providers of Overdraft Opt-In Consulting and ServicesRead DCA's Letter to Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System including Request for Interpretation Read DCA’s letter to SoundBite CommunicationsLearn about the NYC SafeStart Account, an ATM-based starter account without overdraft fees | |
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DCA Issues Fines That Could Total More Than $230,000 to Funeral Home Businesses during Citywide Sweep to Protect ConsumersCommissioner Mintz announced that DCA enforcement teams inspected 579 funeral homes during a two-month long investigation and issued violations for their illegal practices of failing to have retail prices and price lists visible, failing to provide prices over the phone, and not disclosing that consumers may use or bring in a casket from a third party. DCA offers funeral planning tips and urges New Yorkers to file a complaint against a funeral home if it violates the consumer protection law. Read the press releaseDownload DCA’s Funeral Planning GuideFile a complaint against a funeral homeAre you a funeral service provider? Know the law | |
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| It's Tax Time. Go Get Your Refund! City’s Free Filing Opportunities Now Include an Online Tax Preparation Service New Yorkers earning less than $58,000 can file their taxes online for free using a program provided by The Beehive. Assisted online tax preparation is also available at certain free sites. At more than 60 free sites Citywide certified volunteers will prepare eligible New Yorkers’ returns and help them claim credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit. Select sites offer the $aveNYC Account, a limited-time opportunity to use refunds to build savings. Access online free tax preparationRead the press releaseLearn more about tax credits and free tax assistanceLearn more about the $aveNYC Account | |
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 More Than 825,000 Adult New Yorkers Don’t Have a Bank Account, According to New Citywide Study City Creates NYC SafeStart Account, a Safe, Affordable Bank Account for All New Yorkers Commissioner Mintz released key findings from a Department-commissioned study, among them that New Yorkers are more likely than the rest of the country to be unbanked. DCA’s Office of Financial Empowerment partnered with five banks and five credit unions to offer the NYC SafeStart Account to all New Yorkers. The account has no overdraft fees and no monthly fees if clients maintain a minimum balance of $25 or even less depending on the financial institution. Read the press releaseDownload Findings from the Citywide Financial Services Study (in PDF)Learn more about the NYC SafeStart Account |
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DCA Issues More Than 2,000 Violations to Income Tax Preparers during Citywide Crackdown to Protect Filers Commissioner Mintz announced that DCA inspectors examined more than 800 tax preparation businesses during a month-long investigation and issued violations on their deceptive marketing of expensive, high-interest Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs) as “instant” or “rapid” refunds. DCA urges New Yorkers to avoid RALs and instead use the City's online free tax preparation service or visit a free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site to file returns safely. Read the press releaseAccess online free tax preparationLearn more about tax credits and find a VITA site near youWhat you need to know about Refund Anticipation Loans |
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DCA Names Banks’ Automatic Enrollment of Consumers in Costly Overdraft Protection Programs as Top Fraud of the Year DCA Commissioner Mintz warns consumers about deceptive marketing tactics that banks may use in the weeks and months ahead to get them to “opt-in” to expensive overdraft protection services. After July 1, it will be illegal for banks to continue to enroll consumers in overdraft protection programs without their express permission. DCA created the NYC SafeStart Account, an ATM-based starter account that does not have overdraft fees, now available to all New Yorkers. DCA also advocates better banking practices including real-time alerts when a transaction will result in a negative account balance. Other top fraud categories this year include debt collection agencies, home improvement contractors, furniture stores, and electronics stores, from whom DCA secured $9.9 million in consumer restitution. Read the press releaseLearn more about the NYC SafeStart AccountFile a complaint against a businessTrouble managing your money? Speak with a Financial Empowerment Center counselor |
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New Credit Card Rules Take Effect Beginning Feb. 22, credit card companies must put into action the consumer protections that President Obama signed into law as part of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act). Read about five key protectionsRead the information sheet Consumer Alert: New Protections for Credit Card Users (in PDF)Read DCA’s 8/08 comments regarding credit card and bank practices (in PDF)Read DCA’s 7/08 comments regarding credit card products (in PDF) |
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City Launches Local Loan Modification Scam Alert Campaign to Connect At-Risk Homeowners to Free, Safe Foreclosure Prevention Services The City partnered with NeighborWorks America to help New Yorkers recognize fraudulent foreclosure rescue firms seeking to scam homeowners. Homeowners can access free counseling by calling 311. Read the press releaseVisit the Center for NYC Neighborhoods Web site to learn more about free foreclosure counselingLearn about free financial counseling at the City's Financial Empowerment CentersLearn more about the campaign |
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DCA Warns Haitian New Yorkers to Avoid Immigration Scams DCA avèti Ayisyen k ap viv nan Nouyòk pou yo evite Mètdam Imigrasyon yo Haitians applying for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) should use only reputable attorneys or nonprofit organizations with attorneys on staff. The City, in partnership with City University of New York and community organizations, is providing safe, free application clinics in February. Get resources and tipsJwenn resous ak konsèyLearn more about TPS application clinicsGet information from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant AffairsFile a complaint in English or Kreyòl
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DCA Releases Report on the Office of Financial Empowerment’s First Three Years Evaluates Progress of First Program Funded by the Center for Economic Opportunity Launched by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in December 2006, DCA’s OFE has connected approximately 32,000 New Yorkers to financial classes and counseling, helped 226,000 New Yorkers access free or low-cost tax preparation, facilitated more than $450,000 in savings in households with low incomes through its $aveNYC Account program, advocated for stronger consumer protections in the financial services sector, and more. The report describes the multitude of financial empowerment innovations, strategies, and approaches OFE has implemented thus far—and the national implications for its work, which include building the new field of municipal financial empowerment and founding the Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) Coalition. Read the report (in PDF)Learn more about DCA’s OFELearn more about OFE’s initiatives and advocacy and policyLearn more about the CFE Coalition |
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New York Health & Racquet Club Agrees to Reimburse Members Deceived by False Promotion DCA reached a settlement agreement with NYHRC to pay the City $20,000 in fines and possibly more than $150,000 in restitution to members who joined or renewed memberships from March through May 2008 while NYHRC was advertising “free” yacht and golf club usage perks that were not free. NYHRC will be contacting as many as 5,600 affected members directly to submit a claim. If you do not receive a letter but believe you are eligible to submit a claim, call NYHRC at (212) 220-0758. Read the settlement agreementDownload False Advertising: How to Spot It and Read the Fine Print (in PDF) |
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DCA’s Used Car Dealer “Bait and Switch” Crackdown Leads to 63 Violations Totaling Tens of Thousands in Fines DCA conducted a two-month investigation of used car dealer advertisements that appeared “too good to be true,” leading to violations to 10 dealerships for deceptive advertising. These dealers were caught advertising cars that were either unavailable or more expensive than advertised. This crackdown marks DCA’s latest effort to protect New Yorkers by ensuring that dealerships offer only legitimate deals. Read the 12/22 press release and get car shopping tipsRead the 11/19 press release about Queens Auto MallCheck that a used car dealer is licensedDownload Used Car Sales Consumer Guide (in PDF)Download False Advertising: How to Spot It and Read the Fine Print (in PDF)Learn more about auto loans |
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Submit Your New License Application Online! It's easier than ever to get started with your business. New applicants for select DCA licenses can now submit their applications online at a time and from a computer convenient to them. This service will be expanded to include additional industries in the months ahead. Learn how to apply online |
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Attention: Garage and Parking Lot Licensees City's Bicycle Parking Law Is in Effect If your business accommodates 100 or more vehicles, you must provide bicycle parking and submit Rate Information for bicycles to DCA. Note: You may apply to the Department of Buildings (DOB) for a waiver if compliance with the new requirement violates existing zoning regulations for your business. Read the Rule regarding bicycle parking in garages and parking lots (in PDF)Download DCA's Garage and/or Parking Lot Rate Information form (in PDF)Download DOB’s Bicycle Parking Spaces Waiver Form (in PDF) |
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DCA's Crackdown of the Employment Agency Industry Leads to Closure of Dalia's Service Agency and Agreements Totaling More Than $120,000 DCA secured $83,000 in fines and consumer restitution and shut down Dalia's Service Agency for repeatedly charging illegal fees after entering a settlement agreement to stop illegal practices. Job seekers dating back to 2005 who believe Dalia's Service Agency owes them money must file a complaint with DCA. DCA is also mailing notification to consumers who may be eligible for refunds from approximately 20 other employment agencies that entered into agreements totaling more than $40,000 to settle violations. If DCA contacts you, please complete the complaint form and return it to us so we can help you get back money you might be owed. Read the 7/15 press release about Dalia's Service AgencyRead the 7/2 press release about other settlement agreementsDownload What You Need to Know About Employment Agencies (in PDF)Check to see if an employment agency is licensedCheck the list of employment agencies which owe consumers refundsFile a complaint against an employment agency |
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Online License Renewal Service Offered to business categories as licenses come due for renewal, DCA's Online License Renewal Service is making it faster and more convenient than ever for businesses to renew their licenses online, from anywhere and at any time. DCA's Online License Renewal Service |
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| New York City employees are not allowed to ask for or accept anything of value, such as money, gifts, or tips for doing their job. To report corruption, contact the NYC Department of Investigation by visiting DOI online. |
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