Consumer Costs

Consumer Alert: NYS Consumer Protection Division Offers Scam Prevention Tips for Renters

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection announced the release earlier this month of a comprehensive guide with practical tips to help New Yorkers identify and avoid rental scams. The guide aims to help New Yorkers navigate housing scams, which department officials say are a continuously growing risk for consumers.   In 2022, they said the FBI received 11,727 real estate/rental scam related complaints with losses of over $396 million, an 86 percent increase compared to 2020. The department is helping consumers navigate housing scams when renting, buying a first home, protecting their homes, planning a home improvement project


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Consumer Alert: NYS Consumer Protection Division Offers Scam Prevention Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection announced the release earlier this month of a comprehensive guide which includes important scam prevention tips for first-time homebuyers. The guide aims to help New Yorkers navigate housing scams, which department officials say are a continuously growing risk for consumers.   Consumers are given guidance on how to navigate housing scams when renting, buying a first home, protecting their homes, planning a home improvement project or looking for a moving or storage company.   Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “Buying a first home is an exciting milestone, but with


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UPDATE Neighborhood Notes: Lost Dog, Earth Day, Gun Buyback, Safe Disposal of Electronics & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Editor’s Note: Check back for more updates as we add more events. Friendly Voices Program for Seniors If you are an older New Yorker feeling lonely or isolated, NYC Ageing can connect you with a friendly volunteer to talk with over the phone or video chat. Call (212)-Ageing-NYC (212) 244 -6469 and ask about the Friendly Voices Program.   Assembly District Redistricting  The State Assembly districts will be redrawn ahead of the 2024 primaries. Drafts of the redrawn assembly districts were released on Dec. 1, 2022 by the NY Redistricting Commission. The latest plan released April 20 can be reviewed


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UPDATE Neighborhood Notes: Kingsbridge Armory Survey, Elections 2023, Summer Youth Employment Extended & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Kingsbridge Armory Survey The working group behind the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory, Together for Kingsbridge, is requesting the public to provide their input on what they would like to see in place in the armory by completing a survey which can be found here, and which is available in both English and Spanish. See also our latest story on the armory. Tours of the army are ongoing also, as below.   Yankee Youth Leadership Award The New York Yankees and Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) are looking for youth leaders who reside within the boundaries of Bronx Community District


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DC 37 Ratify New Contract with City with 1/4 of City’s Workforce Receiving a Raise & One-Time Bonus

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the commissioner of the New York City Office of Labor Relations (OLR), Renee Campion, hailed District Council (DC) 37 for voting to ratify its contract with the City on March 31 — passing with 97 percent of all members voting in favor.   The five-plus year contract is the first reached under the Adams administration, according to government officials and will cover roughly one-quarter of the city’s total unionized workforce, providing annual raises of 3 percent in the first four years, and 3.25 percent in the fifth year, as well as a one-time


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Feds Recall 53,000 Scooters/Hoverboards Made by Brooklyn Company Due to Fire Hazard & Deaths of Two Children

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Jetson Electric Bikes LLC, of Brooklyn, New York, announced the recall of about 53,000 42-volt, Jetson Rogue, self-balancing scooters/hoverboards on March 30, due to a fire hazard and two deaths. According to CPSC and Jetson, the lithium-ion battery packs in the self-balancing scooters/hoverboards can overheat, posing a fire hazard.   In the context of the recall, representatives of CPSC and Jetson, said a 10-year-old girl and her 15-year-old sister died from a fire on April 1, 2022 in Hellertown, Pennsylvania and that the Hellertown Borough Fire Marshal determined that a 42-volt Jetson


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John Zaccaro Jr. Sworn in as Assemblyman of A.D. 80

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
  The Rotunda of Jacobi Medical Center in Morris Park was filled with some of New York’s political constellation on Saturday, March 4 for the inauguration ceremony of Democratic Assemblyman John Zaccaro Jr. (A.D. 80). The guest list included U.S. Sen. and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Councilman Oswald Feliz (C.D. 15), among many others. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who was scheduled to attend three other events the same day, sent well wishes, via video message, to Zaccaro Jr., profiled last year by Norwood News.   Before administering the oath of office, State Assembly


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Montefiore Einstein Announces $100 Million Contribution to Albert Einstein College of Medicine 

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Montefiore Einstein announced on Thursday, March 2, that an anonymous donor is making a $100 million contribution to Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Representatives from Montefiore-Einstein say the gift, one of the largest in Einstein’s history, will support biomedical research that includes basic, clinical, and translational research programs serving the nation and the world. They added that it will also provide direct financial support to students, ensuring greater access to what was described as “the vibrant and innovative learning environment that Einstein provides.”   Reacting to the news, Philip Ozuah, MD, PhD, president and CEO of Montefiore Medicine, the


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