Massapequa, NY
News
New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns
New Yorkers At Risk Of Scam Calls, Attorney General Warns As New Yorkers across the state report being contacted by scammers impersonating their banks, officials are cautioning consumers to keep their eyes peeled. In a statement on Friday, Oct. 27, NY Attorney General Letitia James provided tips to avoid getting scammed by callers pretending to be bank or government officials. “Scammers claiming to be a trusted bank, or any institution relied on for financial services, can seriously harm New Yorkers by taking their money and their personal information,” she said. James said the Office of the Attorney General has been receiving calls from New Y…

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by Sophie Grieser
Albany, NY
News
NY Law Requiring Businesses To Warn Customers Of Gift Card Scams Takes Effect NY Law Requiring Businesses To Warn Customers Of Gift Card Scams Takes Effect
NY Law Requiring Businesses To Warn Customers Of Gift Card Scams Takes Effect Leaders in New York have given consumers another tool in their belt to help fend off would-be fraudsters. New legislation that went into effect on Tuesday, June 20, requires businesses that sell gift cards in New York to post a notice warning customers about gift card scams. Notices must be posted near where any gift card or gift certificate is displayed or sold. The law was introduced by Long Island State Sen. Kevin Thomas, a Democrat whose 6th Senate District covers central Nassau County. Thomas chairs the senate’s Consumer Protection Committee. “I am happy to see the Department of St…

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by Michael Mashburn
Paramus, NJ
Politics
NJ Reps Aim To Keep AM Radio In Vehicles NJ Reps Aim To Keep AM Radio In Vehicles
NJ Reps Aim To Keep AM Radio In Vehicles Many automakers are removing AM radios from their new electrical vehicles. Some New Jersey congressmen want to change that. Rep. Josh Gottenheimer (D-NJ), who represents most of Bergen County and parts of Passaic and Suffex County is the lead sponsor on a bill in the House of Represenatives that would require automakers to maintain AM radios in their new vehicles at no extra charge to the consumer. The bill, the AM for Every Vehicle Act, has support in the Senate from Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Sen. Ted Cruz. (D-TX) Gottenheimer's bill comes in the wake of reports that BMW, Volkswagen, M…

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by Sam Barron
Brentwood, NY
Business
Public Health Alert Issued For Ready-To-Cook Chicken Products Public Health Alert Issued For Ready-To-Cook Chicken Products
Public Health Alert Issued For Ready-To-Cook Chicken Products A public health alert has been issued for ready-to-cook chicken entrée products that may be missing labeling that includes the list of ingredients and cooking instructions, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.  "This product contains soy and milk, known allergens, which may not be declared on the finished product label," FSIS said in a statement, saying the alert is being issued to "ensure that consumers with an allergy to soy and dairy are aware that these products should not be consumed and to ensure that consumers properly …

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by Joe Lombardi
Rutherford, NJ
News
Wheel Operators At American Dream, Three Other NJ Businesses Accused Of Exploiting Customers Wheel Operators At American Dream, Three Other NJ Businesses Accused Of Exploiting Customers
Wheel Operators At American Dream, Three Other NJ Businesses Accused Of Exploiting Customers The operators of the Dreamwheel at the American Dream Mall have been cited for forcing customers who want to pay cash to buy gift cards with surcharges, state authorities said. Skyviews of America, LLC, which operates the ferris wheel at the East Rutherford mall, was among four businesses that New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said received violation notices for either not accepting cash or charging a credit card surcharge without properly notifying consumers. Similar notices – in this case for not disclosing card surcharges – also went to Ronnie’s Hot Bagels in Hillsdale and S…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Bergenfield, NJ
Business
Recall Issued For Popular Ice Cream Product Sold In NJ Due To Undeclared Allergens Recall Issued For Popular Ice Cream Product Sold In NJ Due To Undeclared Allergens
Recall Issued For Popular Ice Cream Product Sold In NJ Due To Undeclared Allergens A popular ice cream product sold throughout the region is being recalled due to reported undeclared allergens, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced. Weis Markets has issued a voluntary recall of 48-ounce containers of its “Weis Quality Sea Salt Caramel Ripple Ice Cream,” which could potentially contain undeclared soy and coconut allergens. Officials say that anyone who has an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy or coconut allergens could run the risk of serious or life-threatening reactions if they are consumed. According to the FDA, the products may have been distributed in…

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by Zak Failla
Bristol, PA
News
Unlicensed Bucks Wedding Venue Must Pay $11K, Says AG Unlicensed Bucks Wedding Venue Must Pay $11K, Says AG
Unlicensed Bucks Wedding Venue Must Pay $11K, Says AG The operators of a wedding and event venue in Bucks County must pay $11,750 to the state, authorities announced.  Lawrence and Karen Plummer, who run The Barn at Forestville in Furlong, did not obtain the zoning permit required to run an event venue, said state Attorney General Joshua Shapiro in a statement Friday, Nov. 18.  Shapiro said the Plummers booked weddings, parties, and receptions that they were not legally able to host at their venue. When a court ordered the couple to stop hosting events, the Plummers had to cancel on clients who had already booked weeks prior, of…

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by Mac Bullock
Towson, MD
News
Maryland AG Reaches Massive Settlement with Google Over Location Tracking Practices Maryland AG Reaches Massive Settlement with Google Over Location Tracking Practices
Maryland AG Reaches Massive Settlement with Google Over Location Tracking Practices Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh has announced that his Consumer Protection Division as well as 39 other attorneys general have reached a $391.5 million multi-state settlement with Google over its location tracking practices relating to Google Account settings.  The settlement will also require Google to make it easier for consumers to manage their privacy settings when using Google products, according to Frosh. Maryland’s share of the massive settlement is $8.6 million. “Google misled Marylanders about its location tracking practices. It built de…

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by Annie DeVoe
Dorchester, MA
News
Massachusetts Inches Closer Toward Legalizing Sports Betting: Report Massachusetts Inches Closer Toward Legalizing Sports Betting: Report
Massachusetts Inches Closer Toward Legalizing Sports Betting: Report Massachusetts is one signature away from becoming the 31st state to legalize sports gambling thanks to an overtime compromise between state leaders, reports said. Coincidentally, it could be here before the NFL season starts next month.  Legislators in Boston approved the betting bill early Monday morning, Aug. 1, hours after the midnight deadline. Speaker of the state House Ron Mariano tweeted that his team and Senate leadership had struck a deal after nearly a year of arguments.  I am proud to announce that the Sports Betting Conference Committee has reached an agreement on legislatio…

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by Josh Lanier
Brentwood, NY
News
$34.2M Recovered For Thousands Of Service Members Defrauded By NY Jeweler $34.2M Recovered For Thousands Of Service Members Defrauded By NY Jeweler
$34.2M Recovered For Thousands Of Service Members Defrauded By NY Jeweler A New York-based jewelry chain will pay $34.2 million as part of a settlement with 18 states for “deceiving and defrauding” more than 46,000 service members and veterans, according to the New York Attorney General’s Office. Long Island-based Harris Jewelry, headquartered in Hauppauge, had been accused of using deceptive marketing tactics to lure active-duty service members to their financing program and of falsely claiming that investing in the program would improve customers’ credit scores. The company also made customers believe that protection plans were required to purchase jewelry and…

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by Michael Mashburn
Frederick, MD
News
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…

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by Zak Failla
Hudson, NY
News
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…

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by Michael Mashburn