Eversource Warns Customers Of New, 'Finetuned' Scams Eversource Warns Customers Of New, 'Finetuned' Scams
Eversource Warns Customers Of New, 'Finetuned' Scams Eversource is cautioning its East Coast utility customers to be wary of fraudsters who have recently been targeting consumers in Connecticut and Massachusetts. This week, Eversource issued an alert after receiving reports of "scam artists aggressively targeting utility customers.” Officials said that new tactics are being used as scammers continue fine-tuning their techniques, including phony caller IDs that display “Eversource” and scripts that sound like a legitimate company representative threatening to disconnect their electric or gas service because of an unpaid bill.  …
Scammers May Victimize Peer-To-Peer App Users, CT Attorney General Warns Scammers May Victimize Peer-To-Peer App Users, CT Attorney General Warns
Scammers May Victimize Peer-To-Peer App Users, CT Attorney General Warns Federal and state officials are warning consumers to be vigilant when using “peer to peer” apps like CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle to avoid losing money, giving out valuable personal information, or being victimized by scammers. Like any product, consumers must make informed decisions with regard to the use of financial technology products including the “peer to peer” applications for smartphones, otherwise known as “prepaid accounts” or “P2P account.”  P2P Apps have become increasingly popular through companies like Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, and PayPal. While these apps can be used …
CT AG Wants Eversource To Pay For August Storm Failures CT AG Wants Eversource To Pay For August Storm Failures
CT AG Wants Eversource To Pay For August Storm Failures Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is calling on Eversource to pay penalties and for damages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias last summer. Calling Eversource’s failure to communicate and protect public safety during and after the storm “imprudent,” Tong said that the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) should mandate consumer credits and make all findings necessary to levy penalties. Last August, Isaias left more than 100,000 Eversource customers without power for several days, some more than week, which drew the ire of Tong and other elected officials in Connecticut. Accor…
Here Are Four Ways To Avoid Stimulus Check Scams Here Are Four Ways To Avoid Stimulus Check Scams
Here Are Four Ways To Avoid Stimulus Check Scams Consumer protection and law enforcement agencies are warning people to be wary of scams associated with stimulus checks. To avoid scammers, the Department of Consumer Protection is circulating tips on how to identify, stop, and/or report fraudsters going after stimulus checks. The second round of stimulus checks to help Americans deal with an economy hampered by COVID-19 began arriving in people’s mailboxes and direct-deposit accounts in late December. Single people will get $600, a married couple will get $1,200, and there will be an additional $600 per child to families. Everyone who qual…
COVID-19, Black Friday A 'Super Bowl' Combo For Newest Scams, Here's How To Not Get Beat COVID-19, Black Friday A 'Super Bowl' Combo For Newest Scams, Here's How To Not Get Beat
Covid-19, Black Friday A 'Super Bowl' Combo For Newest Scams, Here's How To Not Get Beat WATCH OUT: The combination of COVID-19 and Black Friday creates the ultimate game for criminals who are skilled at robbing online customers blind, New Jersey's top law enforcer warned. The opportunities for cashing in at your expense this week is "like the Super Bowl for cyber criminals," New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. "They are good at the game and have had time to practice and rehearse each play.”  Grewal and the Division of Consumer Affairs warned consumers to watch out for new online scams and a slew of cyber-attacks as the holiday shopping season kicks off on w…
Morris, Union County Used Car Dealer Pays $105,000 To Settle 'Lemon Law' Violations, State Says Morris, Union County Used Car Dealer Pays $105,000 To Settle 'Lemon Law' Violations, State Says
Morris, Union County Used Car Dealer Pays $105,000 To Settle 'Lemon Law' Violations, State Says A used car dealer with locations in Morris and Union counties is paying $105,000 to resolve alleged violations of state consumer protection laws, authorities said. State Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said Auto Holding Inc. was cited for: misrepresenting the condition of its used motor vehicles, telling at least one customer that vehicles were serviced and/or inspected prior to sale, when that was not the case; failing to disclose prior damage and rental history when such information was known or should have been known by the dealership; misrepresenting the prior history and use of its …
LAWSUIT: Student Loan Giant Crippled NJ Borrowers, State Authorities Charge LAWSUIT: Student Loan Giant Crippled NJ Borrowers, State Authorities Charge
Lawsuit: Student Loan Giant Crippled NJ Borrowers, State Authorities Charge One of the nation’s largest student loan servicers has screwed young borrowers in New Jersey, state authorities charged Tuesday in a blockbuster lawsuit against Navient. This includes deliberately fooling some of them into paying back more money than was due at the time by lying about the amounts, they said. “Higher education should be a pathway to success, not a road to financial ruin,” Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said in announcing the suit's filing. “Even before the financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, too many New Jerseyans were struggling to pay off their student loans,…
Park Sterling Offers Insight On A New Law To Protect And Inform Real Estate Consumers Park Sterling Offers Insight On A New Law To Protect And Inform Real Estate Consumers
Park Sterling Offers Insight On A New Law To Protect And Inform Real Estate Consumers On June 20th, a new Fair Housing law went into effect in New York State, requiring real estate agents to provide consumers a Housing and Anti-Discrimination Disclosure Form at their first substantive contact. The disclosure form, which is to be signed by buyers and sellers, and tenants and landlords, describes actions that would violate Fair Housing laws, and how consumers can file a complaint if they feel they have been a victim of discrimination in housing. The law also requires real estate brokerages to display in their offices a Fair Housing Notice in a conspicuous location that is visi…
Driveway Scam Alert Issued In Area Driveway Scam Alert Issued In Area
Driveway Scam Alert Issued In Area With the warmer weather, the New York State Police Department is cautioning homeowners to be wary of “driveway paving scammers.” New York State Police issued a scam alert this week after receiving reports in the Hudson Valley of fraudsters who have already started making the rounds, looking for their victims. According to police, the driveway scam typically involves scammers collecting money upfront and never performing the work, or workers showing up unexpectedly and starting work on a driveway without the consent of the homeowner, and then demanding payment. Recently, troopers receive r…
Stop & Shop Warns Customers Of Potential Data Security Issue At Five Stores Stop & Shop Warns Customers Of Potential Data Security Issue At Five Stores
Stop & Shop Warns Customers Of Potential Data Security Issue At Five Stores Stop & Shop says it has discovered a potential data security issue at five store locations in the Northeast. Illegal skimming devices known as “shimmers” were identified as part of routine security scans at the locations.  The five stores and dates the issue was identified are als follows: 25 Old King’s Highway North in Darien, Connecticut, April 26 to April 30 404 Springfield Ave., Berkeley Heights, New Jersey: Feb. 8 to Feb. 10 8 Franklin Street, Bloomfield, New Jersey: March 28 to April 9 1189 Broad Street, Clifton, New Jersey: March 14 to April 16 19 Temple Street, Framingham…
COVID Price Gouging Prompts 3,000 NJ Complaints, 500 AG Warnings, 90 Subpoenas COVID Price Gouging Prompts 3,000 NJ Complaints, 500 AG Warnings, 90 Subpoenas
COVID Price Gouging Prompts 3,000 NJ Complaints, 500 AG Warnings, 90 Subpoenas New Jersey authorities are continuing an ongoing crackdown on price gougers during the coronavirus pandemic. The state Division of Consumer Affairs has issued at least 514 cease-and-desist letters and 89 subpoenas to businesses reported to have violated laws during the pandemic, state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said Wednesday. The state has so far received 2,978 complaints involving 1,800 businesses related to the COVID-19 emergency, Grewal said.  About 90 percent of the complaints involve inflated prices for surgical masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray and wipes, food, b…
COVID-19: Nassau County District Attorney Announces Launch Of Scam Hotline COVID-19: Nassau County District Attorney Announces Launch Of Scam Hotline
Covid-19: Nassau County District Attorney Announces Launch Of Scam Hotline As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread on Long Island so to do reports of scammers looking to take advantage of the pandemic, prompting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas to take action. Singas announced the creation of Nassau County’s “Coronavirus Scam Hotline,” which will allow area residents to report possible scams to the DA’s Financial Crimes Bureau. According to the District Attorney, her office has been receiving reports of new identity theft scams and opportunistic schemes peddling fake tests and bogus calls. Anyone who believes they had been targeted …