Schuyler County Attorney warns residents to beware of Valentine’s Day scams, including “sweetheart” romance frauds

With Valentine’s Day approaching, Schuyler County Attorney Steven J. Getman today urged residents to stay vigilant against “sweetheart” scams and other common holiday-related frauds that exploit emotions and generosity.

“Scammers prey on people’s desire for connection and love during this romantic season,” Getman said. “These criminals build fake relationships online or create phony websites to steal money, personal information or gift card funds. Protecting your heart and your wallet means recognizing red flags and never sending money to someone you’ve never met in person.”

Sweetheart scams, also known as romance scams, are among the most prevalent. Fraudsters create fake profiles on dating apps, social media or messaging platforms, quickly profess affection and build trust through frequent communication. They then invent urgent stories—such as medical emergencies, travel issues, military deployments or business problems—to request money. Common payment methods include gift cards (Amazon, Google Play, iTunes or Steam), wire transfers, cryptocurrency or money transfer apps, which are difficult or impossible to reverse.

Other Valentine’s Day scams include:

• Fake online florists or gift delivery sites that take payment but never deliver, or deliver substandard items.
• Impostor websites mimicking legitimate jewelers or retailers with unrealistically low prices to steal credit card details.
• Unsolicited e-cards or messages containing phishing links or malware.
• “Wrong number” text messages that initiate conversations leading to requests for personal information or payments.

The Federal Trade Commission and FBI report that romance scams alone cost victims hundreds of millions annually, with thousands of cases nationwide each year. Gift cards remain a favorite tool for scammers because they are hard to trace and often irreversible.

To avoid falling victim, Getman recommended:

• Never send money, gift cards or personal information to someone you have not met face-to-face.
• Be skeptical of quick professions of love, avoidance of video calls or in-person meetings, and stories involving overseas work, military service or sudden emergencies.
• Research online sellers thoroughly—check reviews on trusted sites like BBB.org and avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
• Use reverse image searches on profile photos and be cautious about moving conversations off dating platforms.
• Protect your devices with up-to-date security software and avoid clicking suspicious links.

If you suspect you have been targeted or victimized, act quickly:

• Stop all contact and block the individual.
• Contact your bank, credit card company or gift card issuer immediately to report fraud and seek recovery options.
• Report the incident to local law enforcement by calling the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office at (607) 535-8222 (or 911 if urgent).
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
• New York residents may also report to the New York State Attorney General’s Office via ag.ny.gov/file-complaint/consumer.

For more information on fraud prevention, visit consumer.ftc.gov or ic3.gov.

Law Day 2026 theme announced

The American Bar Association has announced that the 2026 Law Day theme will be The Rule of Law and the American Dream:

The 2026 Law Day theme is “The Rule of Law and the American Dream.” The rule of law—the idea that no person is above the law—is what ensures the rights of the people to live their lives as freely as possible and to pursue their dreams. The ABA encourages all Americans to recognize Law Day on May 1, 2026, and to reflect on how the rule of law ensures all Americans have the ability to fulfill their dreams.

Law Day is an annual commemoration held on May 1st to celebrate the rule of law and cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal system.

For more information on Law Day, click here.

New York State Announces Election Protection Hotline Ahead of November General Election

Voters Experiencing Problems Can Consult Frequently Asked Questions, Call (866) 390-2992, or Request Assistance Online

The hotline will be available to troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues encountered by voters, including issues voting by absentee

ballot, early mail ballot, or in-person at their polling place. The telephone hotline will be open between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM during early voting (Saturday, October 26 through Sunday, November 3), and between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5. The hotline will also be available the day before and after Election Day, Monday, November 4 and Wednesday, November 6, between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

Written requests for assistance may be submitted at any time through the online complaint form.

A guide addressing frequently asked questions is also currently available to assist voters with, among other things, the absentee and early mail ballot process and voter registration issues.

County Officials Warn: Be aware of unsolicited property offers. “Know your rights before you sign.”

Schuyler County Clerk Theresa Philbin and County Attorney Steven Getman are warning property owners to be aware of unsolicited offers to buy land in Schuyler County, often at a deep discount from the actual value.

 “Reports have surfaced this month of a company soliciting  property owners in the area offering to buy vacant land for cash,” Philbin said.  “The offers include a Purchase and Sale Agreement, asking the owner to sign and send back within a short period of time.  The quick cash offer they make is always below the assessed value, and sometimes by as much as 15 to 25 percent. That could cost you thousands of dollars, depending the price and your property’s actual value.”

 “Many of these buyers are, basically, throwing out nets to see if they can find an owner who doesn't understand the real value of their property or an owner that wants to sell quickly at (almost) any cost. They may be senior citizens, facing a personal situation that is forcing them to consider selling their real estate. These buyers are often hoping to find sellers willing to sell at 85% or less of the true market value.”

County Attorney Steven Getman,
County Clerk Theresa Philbin

While the offer may be perfectly legal, signing and sending back the agreement, Getman pointed out, would create a binding contract.  That contract, Getman said, may obligate the owners to conditions or expenses they did not understand before signing. 

“For example, the offer may state the buyer will pay all closing costs, but also require the seller to clear up any liens or encumbrances on the property at the seller’s own expense before the sale,” Getman explained.  “That could include mortgages, property taxes or even electric, water and sewer bills.  If the sale price does not cover those expenses, the sellers could be left paying out more than they are getting for the property.”

In another case, Getman noted, the offer required to seller to convey to the buyer all personal property located on the land.

 “That could include items such as expensive appliances, motor vehicles or even items of sentimental value,” Getman said.

 Therefore, property owners should review any documents very carefully and consult an experienced attorney before signing any type of agreement, Getman said.

Philbin and Getman offered several tips to property owners who receive unsolicited offers to buy their land:

• Never sign anything until you are sure you want to move forward
• Have your own attorney review the document before your sign them. If you do not have an attorney, the New York State Bar Association may be able to refer you to an appropriate attorney via the NYSBA Lawyer Referral and Information Service: https://www.findalawyernys.org.
• Check out the would-be buyer online. If someone is legitimately interested in buying your home, you should be able to retrieve information about them. Look for any red flags such as bad reviews or lawsuits.
• Ask for references. If the buyer will not offer any, something is wrong. If their references are sketchy and cannot be verified, you need to rethink doing business with that person. 
• Find out the fair market value of your home before you agree to a price.
• Consider bringing in a real estate professional to represent you and give you a fair opinion of your land’s value. If the buyer is legitimate they should be willing to discuss terms with your agent.
• If selling your property seems like a good idea, do not jump at the first offer made (especially if it represents just a small fraction of the land’s worth).

Finally, if you receive anything in the mail about your property that seems questionable, Philbin and Getman said that you can contact the County Clerk or, in the event of possible criminal activity, local law enforcement.

 

“Keep in mind that this is often totally legitimate,” Getman said. “The goal here is to understand what you may sacrifice for convenience.”

“Know your rights before you sign,” Philbin said.

The Schuyler County Clerk is responsible for all books, files and other necessary equipment for the filing, recording and depositing of deeds, maps, papers in actions and special proceedings of both civil and criminal nature, judgment and lien dockets and books for the indexing of the same as directed or authorized by law.

The Schuyler County Attorney is the legal advisor for county government and its various officials. The County Attorney prosecutes and defends civil actions on behalf of the county and county employees acting pursuant to their official duties.

Schuyler County to hold falls prevention seminar

The Schuyler County Office for the Aging will be holding its 2022 Falls Prevention Seminar on Tuesday, September 20.

The event features 15-minute presentations to help you identify and reduce potential fall risks. It also showcases local businesses and organizations providing balance and blood pressure screenings, health and wellness class demonstrations and more. Lunch is also being provided.

The seminar will be held from 10 am - 2 pm at the county’s Human Services Complex, 323 Owego Street in Montour Falls.

Please RSVP by September 15 by calling 607-535-6834 or by email.

For more information, click here.

2022 National Domestic Violence Prosecution Conference Announced

The Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Domestic Violence (DV) Prosecution Committee will host the Fourth National Domestic Violence Prosecution Conference on May 23-25, 2022 in Villanova, Pennsylvania:

The conference is meant to bring together practitioners to provide a forum for deeper learning of enhanced strategies for the

investigation and prosecution of DV-related crimes. Consisting of various presentations, group discussions, and resource-sharing opportunities, the convening will provide attendees with a chance to strengthen their understanding of the intricacies and data-driven approach to DV investigation and prosecution over the course of two and a half days. Topics will include the connection between DV and violent crime, how to handle victim recantation, and special considerations for virtual hearings.

This conference is intended for prosecutors and victim advocates involved in the prosecution of DV-related crimes.

Learn more and register here.

Leasing your land for solar power? Know your rights before you sign.

Solar power can offer New Yorkers many potential benefits, including saving money through reduced electricity bills, creating stability during periods of electric rate changes and contributing to a cleaner and healthier community by reducing our carbon footprint. With more and more state residents considering solar power, a number of private companies are looking to develop and initiate construction of new solar projects across the state, including in Schuyler County.

Recently, a number of Schuyler County landowners have reported receiving proposals from one or more energy firms, seeking land for solar facility development. These proposals offer landowners money for an option to lease or purchase land to develop, build and operate a solar power generation and storage facility on the premises. Payments may include an option signing bonus, annual option payments and potential annual lease payments. In some cases, payments may net landowners thousands of dollars.

While the terms of these options may seem very attractive, these agreements are legal documents with potential long-term implications, potentially both positive and negative. Therefore, you should proceed carefully before signing them.

For more information, click here.

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