To educate & empower the citizens of Erie County. We investigate & mediate consumer complaints.
With more powerful and frequent natural disasters — even affecting areas where they weren’t typical — you might have something like “update or make my emergency plan” on your to do list. The FTC has information and tools to help you avoid fraud as you prepare and recover from an emergency....
Learn the signs of a email. Does the sender:
1) Create a sense of urgency or claim to need help?
2) Ask for your personal info?
3) Want you to download a file or click on a link?
Visit its.ny.gov/phishing for more information.
🚨 Resource Alert🚨
Mark your calendars for the first ever Live Well Erie Health and Wellness fair! This specific event is brought to you by the Older Adults work group!
Spend your morning with us in October connecting with a diverse set of 50 community organizations ready to serve you!
Live Well Erie is a collaborative effort between local organizations and county government striving to complete specific goals for our community. It is divided into three working groups; Children, Working Families, and Older Adults. To learn more visit their website here: https://www4.erie.gov/livewellerie/
To attend this event please register here : https://www3.erie.gov/seniorservices/press/livewell-erie-health-and-wellness-fair-attendee-sign
To be a vendor at this event please register here: https://www3.erie.gov/seniorservices/press/vendor-registration-livewell-erie-health-and-wellness-fair
Did You Know? will never threaten, scare, or pressure you to take an immediate action. Recognize the signs of a Social Security scam and report it to https://ow.ly/XJZy50T1wHP.
Be sure to get a written, signed contract for all home improvements over $500.
For more information, visit the Erie County Consumer Protection website: https://www3.erie.gov/consumerprotection/featured/general-business-law-ss771-new-york-state-home-improvement-contract-provisions
⚠️ Scammers may impersonate legitimate groups to try to steal your information around the . Always ask questions and verify if information is real. 🔗 https://hubs.ly/Q02Khlkz0
Are you equipped to detect an email scam? Check out some of the distinctive indicators provided in the following example. If you or an associate have been a victim of such scams, contact us.
https://idtheft.center/3wNiQRX
It’s back-to-school season, which means parents and students are probably looking to save on college essentials online. And while the latest deals may save you some time and money, scammers may be looking to test you.
You get a text message with a job offer that pays hundreds of dollars a day for doing remote work. It might sound tempting, but here’s the catch: they ask you to text them your Social Security number. Don’t share it. It’s a scam.
The “Ask the Expert” interview series spotlights community experts who weigh-in on important consumer-related issues. In this second episode in the series, we discuss Cybersecurity & Online Privacy with Jessica Copeland, chair of the Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Practice Group (and chair of the newly-formed AI Practice Group) with Bond, Schoeneck & King attorneys in Buffalo.
Avoid solar or clean energy scams by educating yourself!
The Treasury Department works with other federal agencies, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to spread the word about shutting down scams and bad business practices involving clean energy.Filing a Complaint About A ScamIf you have experi...
Are you looking for a contractor to remodel a bathroom, install a pool, repair your roof or complete a landscaping project? Make sure that you receive a signed contract and if it is over $500, NYS has requirements to protect both businesses and consumers. For more information, visit our website:
New York State General Business Law § 771 outlines the requirements for a valid New York State Home Improvement Contract. This law was enacted to protect both businesses and consumers. If you are signing a Home Improvement Contract, over $500.00, you will want to make sure it includes the follow...
A credit freeze can help prevent identity theft and protect your credit score. It’s free, restricts access to your credit report, and lasts until you remove it. Find out how to freeze or thaw your credit at https://hubs.ly/Q02KdNZ00
Learn how to place a credit freeze. This prevents any new credit accounts from being created in your name and helps prevent identity theft.
Hey Friends! Did you know that, unfortunately, bank accounts are often the primary target in identity crimes? We are here to help you navigate this! For quick tips and some helpful guidance, click on the link below. Let's keep you secure! 💪🔒
https://idtheft.center/3yxgZEe
Identity theft is a year-round problem!
Know the warning signs of identity theft, how to protect yourself, and how to report it. And learn how to protect your child from ID theft.
We'll see you at The Erie County Fair tomorrow - Visit our table to learn more about Consumer Protection and the Bureau of Weights & Measures!
The Erie County Fair opens tomorrow and our Erie County, NY departments and offices will be there with info, games, giveaways and more for fairgoers to enjoy during their visit.
Find us in the Marketplace Building and check out our daily schedule here: https://www3.erie.gov/health/fair
It's time! Parents: be smart when sharing pics of your child on social media. Don’t share posts with your child’s personal information. Don't tag your child or other children without permission. For more tips, visit its.ny.gov/keeping-kids-safe
You get a text message from a number you don’t know, asking when you’re free to catch up over a cup of coffee. Don’t perk up just yet. That invitation for a coffee date might sound like it’s from a friend you’ve lost touch with, but it’s probably just a scammer looking to start a convers...
Freeze your card! Protect your benefits. EBT cardholders can quickly and easily freeze their card using the ebtEDGE mobile app.
https://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/EBT-scam-alert.asp
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the launch of two privacy guides on the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) website: a
To avoid 2024 Olympic scams, only make purchases and travel accommodations on trusted websites and ignore messages about the Olympics.
⚖️ Ever wonder if the gas pump you're using is accurate? If it has an up-to-date Erie County Bureau of Weights & Measures sticker on it, it is!Watch for more...
There’s lots of news lately about a new immigration process for spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens. If you’ve been paying attention, the scammers have too. They might call, email, or send text messages claiming to have special access. Or say they can help you apply now, for a fee of cours...
Erie County's Bureau of Weights and Measures is looking out for consumers. Watch to learn how "Scanner Accuracy Examiners" work to make sure consumers are ch...
Did you get a message on social from an “artist” asking to pay you for permission to paint your photo? It’s a scam. They don’t want to pay you — they want to take your money.
QR codes are an increasingly common way to share information, such as restaurant menus and links in advertisements. However, they can also be a vehicle for cybercrime. Be smart with QR codes and follow these simple steps to stay cybersafe.
Did someone supposedly spot fraud or criminal activity on one of your accounts? Did they offer to help “protect” your money by moving it from your bank, investment, or retirement account? Maybe they even asked you to share a verification code? If anyone did any of those things, it’s always a s...
CrowdStrike has updated guidance from yesterday. View our alert for the latest: go.dhs.gov/38C
We are working with CrowdStrike and partners to monitor malicious activity. This includes a recent update of threat actors distributing malicious ZIP archive files. You can learn more about this threat here: go.dhs.gov/38C
As always, please remain vigilant! Do not click on suspicious links and only follow instructions from legitimate sources.
95 Franklin Street, Room 651
Buffalo, NY
14202
| Monday | 8:30am - 4:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am - 4:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am - 4:30pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am - 4:30pm |
| Friday | 8:30am - 4:30pm |
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Erie County Division of Consumer Protection posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Send a message to Erie County Division of Consumer Protection:
The “Ask the Expert” interview series spotlights community experts who weigh-in on important consumer-related issues. In this second episode in the series, we discuss Cybersecurity & Online Privacy with Jessica Copeland, chair of the Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Practice Group (and chair of the newly-formed AI Practice Group) with Bond, Schoeneck & King attorneys in Buffalo.
The Erie County Division of Consumer Protection is creating an Ask the Expert video interview series. This series will provide an opportunity for our office to interview community experts who can weigh-in on consumer protection-related issues within their area of expertise. This is the first episode in the series, featuring Jess Poleon, Deputy Commissioner of the Erie County Department of Public Advocacy. We discuss the Erie County Division of Consumer Protection, the services we provide to the community, contractor scams, required contract provisions, and how to report complaints to us. For additional information and resources, visit our website at https://www3.erie.gov/consumerprotection/
Happy Holidays from the Erie County Division of Consumer Protection - Remember to shop safely this holiday season and all throughout the year!
Another reminder from the Erie County Division of Consumer Protection to stay vigilant and shop safely this holiday season!
Shop safely this holiday season!
⚖️ Ever wonder if the gas pump you're using is accurate? If it has an up-to-date Erie County Bureau of Weights & Measures sticker on it, it is! Watch for more information or visit the Erie County Office of Consumer Protection website at: www3.erie.gov/consumerprotection/weights-and-measures
The Erie County Division of Consumer Protection wants to remind consumers not to fall for scammers’ tricks this Halloween! For more information on our office, visit our website: erie.gov/ConsumerProtection
Erie County Department of Personnel
Franklin StreetErie County Department of Health (ECDOH)
Franklin StreetErie County Department of Mental Health
Franklin StreetErie County Department of Environment and Pla
Franklin StreetErie County Clerk's Salutes & Thank A Vet Dis
Franklin Street
Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportati
Main Street
311 Call and Resolution Center
Niagara Square
Town of Tonawanda Police Department
Sheridan Drive
Elaine M. Panty Branch Library
Tonawanda Street
Agence Consulaire de France à Buffalo
Bedford Avenue
