The top consumer scams perpetrated against New Yorkers in 2020

New York State officials have released a list of the top consumer scams perpetrated against New Yorkers in 2020, many of which had to do with the COVID-19 public health crisis, in addition to a variety of tips on how New Yorkers can avoid COVID-19 scams in the future.

After analyzing consumer complaints received statewide throughout 2020, the following were found to be the top 10 consumer complaints by category:

• Internet-Related (internet services and service providers, data privacy and security, digital media, data breaches, frauds through internet manipulation)
• COVID-19 Price Gouging (online and brick and mortar gouging of prices for items such as hand sanitizer, masks, gloves, bathroom tissue, food)

• Landlord/Tenant Disputes (security deposit releases, tenant-harassment)
• Health Clubs (continuous charging of fees while clubs were closed, inability to cancel memberships, refunds not provided, no response from clubs)
• Automobile (sales, service, financing, repairs)
• Consumer Services (security systems, tech repairs, immigration services, employment training)
• Retail Sales (any sale of goods: food, clothing, rent-to-own, online orders)
• Credit (debt collection, credit card billing, debt settlement and debt relief, payday loans, credit repair, credit reporting agencies, identity theft)
• Utilities (wireless and residential phones, energy servicers and suppliers, cable and satellite)
• Travel (inability to cancel or lack of refunds for cancellations required by COVID-19 travel restrictions)

Consumers can learn more about COVID-19 resources and consumer scams here.

Fraud victims should report instances of fraud to the New York State Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau or by calling local law enforcement officials.