DOS
April 09, 2024
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CONSUMER ALERT: As Tax Day Draws Near, the NYS Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Reminds New Yorkers About Check Washing Scams |
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For Maximum Security, Deposit Your Check in your Local Post Office Lobby Secretary Rodriguez said, “When paying your taxes, deposit your check in the lobby of your Post Office for maximum security. Check washing scams can really hurt your wallet which is why I encourage New Yorkers to follow our tips to protect yourself and your business.” Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for “Tuesday’s Tips” – Practical Tips to Educate and Empower New York Consumers on a Variety of Topics
According to the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the number of check fraud crimes nationwide surged in 2020 and has worsened each year since. In 2022, FinCEN received over 680,000 suspicious activity reports related to check fraud, almost twice number recorded in 2021. Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “When paying your taxes, deposit your check in the lobby of your Post Office for maximum security. Check washing scams can really hurt your wallet which is why I encourage New Yorkers to follow our tips to protect yourself and your business.” Acting Tax Commissioner Amanda Hiller said, “Taxpayers need to be especially careful when conveying payments through the mail. Follow the steps recommended below and consider electronic filing of state and federal taxes to protect yourself.” U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector in Charge of the New York Division, Daniel B. Brubaker said, “When thieves violate the sanctity of the mail, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service will spare no resource to bring these nefarious individuals to justice for their crimes. Our persistence in investigating these crimes, along with recent enhancements to USPS equipment and other prevention efforts, are the many ways we ensure the public’s trust in the U.S. Mail.” Follow these tips to avoid mail theft and check washing scams: TIPS TO AVOID CHECK WASHING:
What to do if you experience check washing:
About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter 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 resources and education materials to consumers on product safety, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. 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 www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. For more consumer protection tips, follow the Division on social media at Twitter: @NYSConsumer and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nysconsumer. |
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