Veterans Post

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Pandemic fraud and scams

BYLINE: By Freddy Groves

The Covid pandemic has been a pot of gold for thieves and scammers who want to exploit the critical needs of hospitals and doctors. As usual, however, the criminals aren’t too bright.
There was the medical supply company that conspired to sell masks that were misbranded, trying to pass them off to hospitals as genuine National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved N95 masks. The thieves gathered up their fake masks from miscellaneous sources and shipped them off at inflated prices. When NIOSH tested the masks, the scam was discovered because the masks couldn’t pass the filtration tests.
A whole alphabet of federal agencies, including the VA’s Office of Inspector General, came together in this effort to investigate and prosecute the thieves. Between the price gouging, the fake masks and the interstate commerce, the authorities had a good case for pandemic-related defrauding and conspiracy.
When the case goes to court, selling misbranded medical equipment alone could net the thieves a fine of a half a million dollars. Adding in the interstate commerce and price gouging could tack on additional fines and years in prison.
Then there was the guy who tried to sell millions of dollars of personal protective equipment to the VA. The scam was pretending the company was an authorized distributor of the PPE. They even generated a fake website and email address. The goods that were sent out were non-conforming and the masks were counterfeit.
Another guy stole gloves and PPE and sold them for a cool million dollars. Another scammer stole the relief funds he received, diverting $180,000 of it for his own use.
In one scam, however, it almost wasn’t worth the thief’s time: A woman was given two paycheck protection loans for two businesses she owned — except the didn’t own a business. All she got out of the scam was $41,000.
When are they going to learn? The thieves eventually get caught, and we have the VA OIG and other alphabet agencies to thank for it.

JHP at the NYC Veterans Day Parade

In celebration of Veterans Day on Monday, Josephine Herrick Project held a hands-on photography workshop embedded in Manhattan’s parade up Fifth Avenue. Just as we have for some 80 years, we brought veterans and civilians together across generations and war eras to learn, practice, and celebrate photography.

Six veterans who are participants, alumni, and teaching artists in our ongoing programs took on the “assignment” of photographing the parade, capturing this iconic celebration of their service from the inside. They were joined by our two new apprentices, high school interns building their photojournalism skills and experience with us while earning NYC’s $15 minimum wage.

We started out as part of a group marching with the Bronx VA—clients and staff of the Bronx Vet Center and James J. Peters VA Medical Center. Photojournalist and Odyssey Project leader Brendan Bannon instructed our team in the components of a strong photo essay. After that our photographers fanned out to interpret the parade experience from their own diverse perspectives. All along the route, we worked in pairs and small groups to share tips and engage with the community—and to ensure nobody was left behind.

With thousands of images to choose from, it was tough to choose just two highlights (in this case by our program coordinator, photographer Jealyn McFadden) to show here. Follow us on Instagram to see more of our Veterans Day coverage.

CONSUMER ALERT: The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Warns Military Community to be Aware of Scams Targeting Service Members

July is Military Consumer Protection Month

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, X and Instagram for “Tuesday’s Tips” – Practical Tips to Educate and Empower New York Consumers on a Variety of Topics

Secretary Mosley: “With the number of scams targeting service members on the rise, it’s important for members of the military community to take the proper precautions to protect their personal information and finances before, during and after deployment.”

In recognition of Military Consumer Protection Month, the Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is warning members of the military community to be aware of scams targeting service members. Scams are surging nationwide, and members of the military community are frequent targets of scammers. According to the Federal Trade Commission, fraud cost veterans, service members and their families $477 million in 2023, and there were a total of 93,735 fraud reports within the community during that time. Imposter scams, online shopping scams and investment-related scams were the top three types of scams targeted at military members, veterans and their families.

“Many service members are young, live away from home and are managing their own finances for the first time, making them attractive targets for opportunistic scammers,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “With the number of scams targeting service members on the rise, it’s important for members of the military community to take the proper precautions to protect their personal information and finances before, during and after deployment.”

The Division of Consumer Protection recommends the following scam precautions for active-duty service members to help identify when something isn’t right and help ensure they are prepared to protect their personal information, accounts, identity and money from fraudulent practices.

TIP #1: PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT BY USING AN “ACTIVE-DUTY ALERT”

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that active-duty service members file reports of identity theft at much higher rates than non-military consumers. If you are called to active duty, put an “Active-Duty Alert” on your credit report to minimize your risk for identity theft. Benefits include:

Businesses must verify identity before issuing new credit.
Lasts one year but is renewable.
Removes names from marketing lists for unsolicited credit and insurance offers for two years.

To add an Active-Duty Alert on your credit report, contact any one of the three main credit reporting agencies here: https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/CreditBureauContacts. Once you have placed an Active-Duty Alert on your credit report with one of the bureaus, that bureau will send a request to the other two bureaus to do the same, so you do not have to contact all three.

Don’t fall for credit monitoring scams: These scams target active-duty members who are being deployed. They offer to monitor credit and defend against identity theft, but instead they use the victim’s credit information to go on a spending spree, leaving the victim to foot the bill. An Active-Duty Alert on your credit report is the safer way to protect your credit.

TIP #2: PROTECT YOUR PURCHASES AND INVESTMENTS

No matter where you shop, do your research first. It’s important to search online for credible opinions from trusted sources and compare reviews from a variety of websites.

Know what to look for when buying or selling a vehicle:
A vehicle is one of the most expensive purchases you will make. If you are buying or selling a vehicle, below are a few red flags to look for:

Be skeptical of so-called “military friendly” sellers: Scammers often do this to get you to let down your guard. Be wary of anyone that is offering an “incredible deal,” sometimes claiming to be the family of a service member who was recently deployed or died in combat. In both situations, the scammer is using service member affinity to discourage you from looking too closely at the deal or negotiating in good faith.
Be cautious of fake websites or fake listings: These fake websites often post ads that offer discounts for military personnel but charge upfront fees that require a wire transfer. Scammers often list vehicles for sale on online marketplaces like eBay, Facebook and Craigslist. The scammers collect a deposit but never deliver the vehicle.
If you’re buying: Research the vehicle and its cost. Some dealers try to overcharge service members, offer unfavorable terms or add on expensive optional products, like paint protection, service contracts or Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance. Don’t act on impulse or pressure. Salespeople will often want you to buy the car immediately, but you should take the time to research the price and check out the car carefully, including getting a used vehicle history report.
If you are selling or trading in a vehicle, use a resource like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds or the National Automobile Dealers Association’s Guides to determine how much your current car is worth.
If financing, do extensive research to understand your options. Be wary of “instant approval” military loans (“no credit check,” “all ranks approved”) that can have high interest rates and hidden fees.

Learn to identify fake rental properties:
Scammers will often steal a photo from the internet to create a fake rental listing in an effort to steal your deposits or the private information on your rental application. Often, these scams target military personnel looking for housing near a base or will offer military discounts. Be cautious of listings that are advertising an unusually low rent or are much nicer than other properties at that price point. Make sure to pay any application fees or deposits by check or credit card. If you are required to pay a fee via wire transfer or money transfer app to see the property, this is a red flag that the listing may be fake.

TIP #3: KNOW WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH

Imposter scam artists will often portray themselves as someone they are not to trick you into giving them your personal information or money. They may pose as a friend on social media, a romantic interest on a dating app or a fellow service member to gain your trust. If anyone reaches out to you over social media, email, phone, text or dating apps and asks for money or financial information, ignore them and report the fraud. Never provide personal or financial information to someone if you did not initiate contact with them. These are often attempts to steal your identity and gain access to your money.
If a debt collector contacts you and you don’t recognize the company or the debt, first request information including the collector’s or company’s name, the company’s street address, telephone number, license number (if you’re in a municipality that requires one, such as New York City or Buffalo) and validation of the debt to ensure the debt collector and the debt are both legitimate. Unscrupulous debt collectors will often insist you owe a debt even if you don’t.
Be wary if you are asked to pay in an unusual manner, such as a money transfer app or by using a reloadable gift card. These methods are untraceable and it’s nearly impossible to get your money back.
Be suspicious of anyone who communicates exclusively through social media, messaging apps or email. Be especially wary of those who refuse to give you alternate methods to contact them.
Watch out for impersonators that pretend to be from Defense Finance and Accounting Services or another military group. They will contact members or their spouses by phone, email or text. They may claim that due to computer problems, your information was lost and needs to be reentered to process payments. In other cases, their emails contain links or attachments that can put malware on computers to steal passwords and account information. DFAS and other military organizations generally do not ask for personal financial information, account numbers or passwords.
As a general rule, service members and their families should never give personal information by phone or by clicking on links in emails to an unknown company or person. When in doubt, disengage from communication until you have had time to research the company or person to make sure they are legitimate.

CONSUMER ALERT: The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Warns Military Community to be Aware of Scams Targeting Service Members

July is Military Consumer Protection Month

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, X and Instagram for “Tuesday’s Tips” – Practical Tips to Educate and Empower New York Consumers on a Variety of Topics

TIP #1: PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT BY USING AN “ACTIVE-DUTY ALERT”

Businesses must verify identity before issuing new credit.
Lasts one year but is renewable.
Removes names from marketing lists for unsolicited credit and insurance offers for two years.

TIP #2: PROTECT YOUR PURCHASES AND INVESTMENTS

No matter where you shop, do your research first. It’s important to search online for credible opinions from trusted sources and compare reviews from a variety of websites.

Be skeptical of so-called “military friendly” sellers: Scammers often do this to get you to let down your guard. Be wary of anyone that is offering an “incredible deal,” sometimes claiming to be the family of a service member who was recently deployed or died in combat. In both situations, the scammer is using service member affinity to discourage you from looking too closely at the deal or negotiating in good faith.
Be cautious of fake websites or fake listings: These fake websites often post ads that offer discounts for military personnel but charge upfront fees that require a wire transfer. Scammers often list vehicles for sale on online marketplaces like eBay, Facebook and Craigslist. The scammers collect a deposit but never deliver the vehicle.
If you’re buying: Research the vehicle and its cost. Some dealers try to overcharge service members, offer unfavorable terms or add on expensive optional products, like paint protection, service contracts or Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance. Don’t act on impulse or pressure. Salespeople will often want you to buy the car immediately, but you should take the time to research the price and check out the car carefully, including getting a used vehicle history report.
If you are selling or trading in a vehicle, use a resource like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds or the National Automobile Dealers Association’s Guides to determine how much your current car is worth.
If financing, do extensive research to understand your options. Be wary of “instant approval” military loans (“no credit check,” “all ranks approved”) that can have high interest rates and hidden fees.

TIP #3: KNOW WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH

Imposter scam artists will often portray themselves as someone they are not to trick you into giving them your personal information or money. They may pose as a friend on social media, a romantic interest on a dating app or a fellow service member to gain your trust. If anyone reaches out to you over social media, email, phone, text or dating apps and asks for money or financial information, ignore them and report the fraud. Never provide personal or financial information to someone if you did not initiate contact with them. These are often attempts to steal your identity and gain access to your money.
If a debt collector contacts you and you don’t recognize the company or the debt, first request information including the collector’s or company’s name, the company’s street address, telephone number, license number (if you’re in a municipality that requires one, such as New York City or Buffalo) and validation of the debt to ensure the debt collector and the debt are both legitimate. Unscrupulous debt collectors will often insist you owe a debt even if you don’t.
Be wary if you are asked to pay in an unusual manner, such as a money transfer app or by using a reloadable gift card. These methods are untraceable and it’s nearly impossible to get your money back.
Be suspicious of anyone who communicates exclusively through social media, messaging apps or email. Be especially wary of those who refuse to give you alternate methods to contact them.
Watch out for impersonators that pretend to be from Defense Finance and Accounting Services or another military group. They will contact members or their spouses by phone, email or text. They may claim that due to computer problems, your information was lost and needs to be reentered to process payments. In other cases, their emails contain links or attachments that can put malware on computers to steal passwords and account information. DFAS and other military organizations generally do not ask for personal financial information, account numbers or passwords.
As a general rule, service members and their families should never give personal information by phone or by clicking on links in emails to an unknown company or person. When in doubt, disengage from communication until you have had time to research the company or person to make sure they are legitimate.

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, X and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. The Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or Facebook.

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CONSUMER ALERT: THE NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION REMINDS NEW YORKERS ABOUT RENTAL SCAMS

Avoid Sending Money for Rental Properties Without Verifying the Legitimacy of the Listing

Secretary Rodriguez said, “In today’s highly competitive housing market, renters are often targeted by scammers who use enticing offers to steal their hard-earned money.” Video Here: English and Spanish

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for “Tuesday’s Tips” – Practical Tips to Educate and Empower New York Consumers on a Variety of Topics

For this week’s “Tuesday’s Tips,” the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is sharing tips to help New Yorkers identify and avoid rental scams. Rental scams are executed in a variety of different ways, but the goal is the same: bilk potential tenants out of as much money as possible or steal their personal information.

“In today’s highly competitive housing market, renters are often targeted by scammers who use enticing offers to steal New Yorkers’ hard-earned money,” Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said. “Finding a place to live can be stressful enough without the added worry of being scammed, so I encourage consumers to follow our tips and learn how to spot a potential scam when looking for a new residence.”

Looking for a rental home or apartment can be an expensive and time-consuming process. Renters are often competing for limited housing or looking for deals, and scammers are quick to take advantage of them. Rental scams do not just harm renters, they can severely damage the reputations and livelihoods of New York’s honest, hardworking real estate agents as well.

In 2023, the FBI received 9,521 real estate/rental scam related complaints with losses of over $145 million.

To help prevent a costly mistake, below are key tips on how to identify and avoid rental scams:

Confirm that the rental listing is legitimate and verify the source of the listing. Scammers often post fake listings of properties that are not on the market, or may copy a photo or description of a property from another source to use in their ad. A few minutes of research can prevent you from putting a security deposit on a fraudulent rental or handing over your personal information. To verify if a rental is legitimate:

Search the location’s address. If ads come up for the same address, but with a different owner, rental company or rent amount, that’s a sign it could be a scam.
Run a reverse image search and see if you can find the listing anywhere else on the internet. Scammers may use photos from a legitimate listing to create a phony one. If you perform a reverse image search and find another listing of the home or apartment with a different address or contact information, that’s a red flag that it could be a scam. There are many reputable free reverse image search platforms online.
Visit real estate websites and see if the rental you want is also listed in another city or available on another website with a different email address or contact information.

2. Verify the identity of any Real Estate Professional. Confirm that the real estate professional you’re working with is licensed in New York by following these steps:

Visit the eAccessNY Occupational Licensing Management System to look up their license.

nduct an independent online search for that real estate agent or broker and call the office phone number to confirm they are the agent handling the listing and to verify their contact information included in the listing.
Request to see a copy of the Department of State issued photo license and arrange an in-person or video meeting to compare the ID.
See what other people have to say. Look for complaints about the company or agent.

Inspect the Premises. Avoid completing background checks, signing a lease agreement or paying any advance fees or deposits before having an opportunity to inspect the premises.
Be suspicious if asked to use payment methods that are untraceable. Scammers generally conduct transactions by phone, text message or email and often ask for payment by wire transfer, prepaid debit card, money-transfer app, cryptocurrency, or other methods of payment that are not easily traceable. Instead, pay by check or credit card and get receipts for any payments.
Make payments to the brokerage of record. In New York, it is unlawful for a real estate person to demand a fee directly from the prospective tenant. Fees are paid to the brokerage where the agent is associated with and the broker pays the agent for their services.
Request everything in writing. It is always better to leave a paper trail. Real estate professionals are required by law to provide you with copies of all instruments relating to the transaction.
Don’t give in to high-pressure sales tactics. Scammers may urge you to rent quickly before someone else gets the property, prompting you to possibly miss an important step in the evaluation process. While the rental market is tough right now with low supply and high demand, remember to be cautious about all the steps involved in a real estate transaction – including carefully reviewing the lease agreement and verifying the identity of those you are engaged with during the rental transaction.
Protect your privacy. Scammers often request personal information and money for background checks, then disappear. Refrain from providing personal information or your social security number unless you are absolutely sure you are dealing with a reputable business or agent.

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.

For other consumer protection tips and consumer alerts, consumers can visit the DCP website or follow DCP on social media via Twitter at @NYSConsumer or Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

New York State Division of Consumer Protection Warns the Military Community to be Aware of Scams Targeting Servicemembers

Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez Offers Tips to Increase Awareness to Help Prevent Fraud

July is Military Consumer Protection Month

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) reminds active service members, veterans, and their families to be on alert for scams targeting the military community. The rise in these scams take a variety of forms such as deceptive financial services, identity theft, online shopping, employment and even impersonation, just to name a few. In recognition of Military Consumer Protection Month, DCP supports servicemembers by providing targeted scam prevention tips for the military community to empower them with actionable fraud prevention tips for greater awareness and control over their finances.

Scams are surging nationwide, and members of the military community are frequent targets of scammers. Many service members are young, often live away from home with frequent relocations and are managing their own finances for the first time. They collect steady paychecks and receive a range of benefits, which makes them attractive targets for opportunistic scammers. According to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data, fraud cost veterans, service members and their families $267 million in 2021, an astonishing 162 percent increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the median loss for military scam victims was $600, which is 20 percent higher than for the general public.

“In 2021, New York State had more than 20,000 active service members, and we recognize their sacrifices and unique challenges,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez, who oversees the Division of Consumer Protection. “We are grateful for their service and everything they do to protect our nation, so it is especially important that we shield these brave men and women from financial and reputational harm.”

“The men and women of our New York National Guard appreciate the consumer protection support provided by New York State, alongside the thousands of other service members stationed across our great State,” said Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York. “Highlighting these tips and raising awareness across the military helps strengthen individual and family preparedness to confront business scams designed to target our uniformed men and women. We thank New York state for placing attention on this important issue.”

The NYS Division of Consumer Protection recommends the following scam precautions for active duty servicemembers to help identify when something isn’t right to ensure that they are prepared to protect their personal information, accounts, identity, and money from fraudulent practices.

SCAM PREVENTION TIPS FOR ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS:

TIP #1: PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT BY USING AN “ACTIVE-DUTY ALERT”

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that active duty servicemembers file reports of identity theft at much higher rates than non-military consumers. If you are called to active duty, put an “Active-Duty Alert” on your credit report to minimize your risk for identity theft. Benefits include:

Businesses must verify identity before issuing new credit
Lasts one year but is renewable
Removes names from marketing lists for unsolicited credit and insurance offers for two years

To add an Active-Duty Alert on your credit report, contact any one of the three main credit reporting agencies. Once you have placed an Active-Duty Alert on your credit report with one of the bureaus, that bureau will send a request to the other two bureaus to do the same, so you do not have to contact all three. https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/CreditBureauContacts

TIP #2: PROTECT YOUR PURCHASES AND INVESTMENTS

No matter where you shop, you should do your research first. It’s important to search online for credible opinions from trusted sources and compare reviews from a variety of websites.

Know what to look for when buying or selling a vehicle:

A vehicle is one of the most expensive purchases you will make. If you are buying or selling a vehicle, below are a few red flags to look for:

Be skeptical of so-called “military friendly” sellers:
- Scammers often do this to get you to let down your guard. Be wary of anyone that is offering an “incredible deal,” sometimes claiming to be the family of a servicemember who was recently deployed or died in combat. In both situations, the scammer is using servicemember affinity to discourage you from looking too closely at the deal or negotiating in good faith.
Be cautious of fake websites or fake listings:
- These fake websites often post ads that offer false discounts for military personnel and upfront fees that require a wire transfer.
- Scammers often list vehicles for sale on online marketplaces like eBay, Facebook, and Craigslist. The scammers collect a deposit or the advertised price of the vehicle and then disappear.
If you’re buying:
- Research the vehicle and its cost. Some dealers try to overcharge service members, offer unfavorable terms, or add on expensive optional products, like paint protection, service contracts or Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance.
- Don’t act on impulse or pressure. Salespeople will often want you to buy the car immediately but take the time to research the price and check out the car carefully, including getting a used vehicle history report.
If you are selling or trading in a vehicle, use a resource like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, or the National Automobile Dealers Association’s Guides to determine how much your current car is worth.
If financing, do extensive research to understand your options. Be wary of “instant approval” military loans (“no credit check,” “all ranks approved”) that can have high interest rates and hidden fees.

Learn to identify fake rental properties:

Scammers will often steal a photo from the internet to create a fake rental listing in an effort to steal your deposits or the private information on your rental application. Be cautious of listings that are advertising an unusually low rent or are much nicer than other properties at that price point. Make sure to pay any application fees or deposits by check or credit card. If you are required to pay a fee via wire transfer or money transfer app to see the property, it’s usually a fake.

TIP #3: KNOW WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH

Imposter scam artists will often portray themselves as someone they are not to trick you into giving them your personal information or money. They may pose as a friend on social media, a romantic interest on a dating app, or a fellow service member to gain your trust. If anyone reaches out to you over social media, email, phone, text, or dating apps and asks for money or financial information, ignore them, and report the fraud. Never provide personal or financial information to someone if you did not initiate contact with them. These are often attempts to steal your identity and gain access to your money.
If a debt collector contacts you and you don’t recognize the company or the debt, first request information to ensure the debt collector and the debt are both legitimate. Unscrupulous debt collectors will often insist you owe a debt even if you don’t.
Be wary if you are asked to pay in an unusual manner, such as a money transfer app or by using a reloadable gift card. These methods are untraceable, and it’s nearly impossible to get your money back.
Be suspicious of anyone who communicates exclusively through social media, messaging apps or email. Be especially wary of those who refuse to give you alternate methods to contact them.

New York State Division of Consumer Protection serves to educate, assist, and empower the State’s consumers. If you’ve been a victim of identity theft, a scam or have questions about whom you are dealing with, contact the Division’s Consumer Assistance Helpline at 1-800-697-1220 on Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays. You may also file a consumer complaint any time at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.

For more consumer protection tips, follow the Division on social media at Twitter: @NYSConsumer and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

UPDATED w/VIDEO - Military Scam Tips Consumer Alert: New York State Division of Consumer Protection Warns the Military Community to be Aware of Scams Targeting Servicemembers

Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez Offers Tips to Increase Awareness to Help Prevent Fraud

July is Military Consumer Protection Month

SCAM PREVENTION TIPS FOR ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS:

TIP #1: PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT BY USING AN “ACTIVE-DUTY ALERT”

Businesses must verify identity before issuing new credit
Lasts one year but is renewable
Removes names from marketing lists for unsolicited credit and insurance offers for two years

Know what to look for when buying or selling a vehicle:

A vehicle is one of the most expensive purchases you will make. If you are buying or selling a vehicle, below are a few red flags to look for:

Be skeptical of so-called “military friendly” sellers:
- Scammers often do this to get you to let down your guard. Be wary of anyone that is offering an “incredible deal,” sometimes claiming to be the family of a servicemember who was recently deployed or died in combat. In both situations, the scammer is using servicemember affinity to discourage you from looking too closely at the deal or negotiating in good faith.
Be cautious of fake websites or fake listings:
- These fake websites often post ads that offer false discounts for military personnel and upfront fees that require a wire transfer.
- Scammers often list vehicles for sale on online marketplaces like eBay, Facebook, and Craigslist. The scammers collect a deposit or the advertised price of the vehicle and then disappear.
If you’re buying:
- Research the vehicle and its cost. Some dealers try to overcharge service members, offer unfavorable terms, or add on expensive optional products, like paint protection, service contracts or Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance.
- Don’t act on impulse or pressure. Salespeople will often want you to buy the car immediately but take the time to research the price and check out the car carefully, including getting a used vehicle history report.
If you are selling or trading in a vehicle, use a resource like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, or the National Automobile Dealers Association’s Guides to determine how much your current car is worth.
If financing, do extensive research to understand your options. Be wary of “instant approval” military loans (“no credit check,” “all ranks approved”) that can have high interest rates and hidden fees.

Learn to identify fake rental properties:

TIP #3: KNOW WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH

Imposter scam artists will often portray themselves as someone they are not to trick you into giving them your personal information or money. They may pose as a friend on social media, a romantic interest on a dating app, or a fellow service member to gain your trust. If anyone reaches out to you over social media, email, phone, text, or dating apps and asks for money or financial information, ignore them, and report the fraud. Never provide personal or financial information to someone if you did not initiate contact with them. These are often attempts to steal your identity and gain access to your money.
If a debt collector contacts you and you don’t recognize the company or the debt, first request information to ensure the debt collector and the debt are both legitimate. Unscrupulous debt collectors will often insist you owe a debt even if you don’t.
Be wary if you are asked to pay in an unusual manner, such as a money transfer app or by using a reloadable gift card. These methods are untraceable, and it’s nearly impossible to get your money back.
Be suspicious of anyone who communicates exclusively through social media, messaging apps or email. Be especially wary of those who refuse to give you alternate methods to contact them.

For more consumer protection tips, follow the Division on social media at Twitter: @NYSConsumer and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

New Yorkers with Disabilities

You can access resources for New Yorkers with disabilities, including mental health support, food resources, transportation, utilities, housing and more from the NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities COVID-19 resource page here. You may also contact my office at 212-828-5829 or at serrano@nysenate.gov.

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DUE 9/12: 2025 SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS IS NOW OPEN

The New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) 2025 Special Projects Fund Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open.

Special Projects Fund awards are one-time, nonrenewable funding opportunities available for organizations working to improve the health of New Yorkers, especially people of color and others who have been historically marginalized. Projects must address important and emerging health care and public health issues that fall outside NYHealth’s three priority areas:Primary Care; Healthy Food, Healthy Lives; and Veterans’ Health. NYHealth seeks to partner with a wide range of organizations implementing innovative projects that can improve health at the local, regional, or statewide levels.

Applicants must complete a letter of inquiry form (LOI) to determine whether a proposed project fits the funding criteria. LOIs are due on September 12, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.

Selected organizations will then be invited to submit full proposals due on November 14, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.

Ask Rusty -- Older Veteran Asks about Special Social Security Credit for Military Service

Dear Rusty: I served in the U S Army from January 1958 to Feb 1961. What increase should I receive for those years and who do I call and at what phone number? Signed: Proud Veteran

Dear Proud Veteran: First, thank you for your military service! I expect you are referring to the “special extra credits for military service” which are available to some who served in in the US Military in earlier years. It is important to note that these “extra credits” take the form of an adjustment to your military pay record while serving and are not an incremental amount added to your monthly Social Security benefit because you served.

Military pay has been subject to deductions for Social Security since 1957. Thus, while serving between 1958 and 1961 you paid SS tax on your military earnings. But, for purposes of determining your Social Security benefit, your military earnings record would be increased by $300 for each quarter you served on active duty, up to a maximum of $1,200 increase per year of service. That means for 1958 – 1960, when calculating your SS benefit, $1,200 would be added to your military earnings record for each year you served. FYI, for those who served after 1967, this adjustment was automatically made by Social Security. But for service years prior to 1967 (as in your case) you would need to inform Social Security of your service when you claimed SS and provide a copy of your military form DD-214 (your discharge papers). SS would then make the appropriate adjustment to your military earnings record prior to calculating your benefit amount. And, for clarity, additional credits for military service are not available to those who served after 2001.

A key point to understand is that this adjustment to your military pay may – or may not – affect the amount of your Social Security benefit. Social Security determines your benefit amount based on your highest earning 35 years over your entire lifetime (adjusted for inflation). If, after you served in the military, you had at least 35 years of civilian employment where you earned more than your military pay, it is probable that your military pay is not included when calculating your Social Security benefit. If that is the case, it is likely that the “special extra credits for military service” would have no effect on your Social Security payment. If, however, your military pay (including those special extra credits) for any year is more than you earned in civilian life, then you can contact Social Security (1.800.772.1213), provide them with a copy of your DD-214, and ask that they recalculate your Social Security benefit to include the extra credits for your years of military service.

JHP Secures NYC Discretionary Fund Renewal

In 2024 86 veterans participated in our veteran-specific work, and interest continues to grow as we expand our partnerships with Vet Centers, other VA sites, and community groups throughout the city.

Generous support for this project has been provided by the New York City Council’s Veterans Community Development Initiative through the Department of Youth and Community Development. We are proud to announce these funds have been renewed for FY25. This renewal is essential to hiring staff and continuing our popular classes.

Veterans are an important part of the JHP community, in fact, our veterans programs are the foundation of our nearly 80-year legacy. Josephine Herrick founded Volunteer Service Photographers to help World War II veterans re-acclimate and explore their voices after their service ended. Over the years the organization evolved and in 2014 we were renamed in her honor.

We are always thankful to have the opportunity and funding to continue Josephine Herrick’s original passion of supporting veterans through photography.

Learning Ladder Early Childhood Center to Host Ceremony Honoring Fallen Heroes

In the heart of Co-op City, a touching tribute to our nation’s heroes was unfolded. The Learning Ladder Childhood Center, a renowned early childhood center in the community had organized this special ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. On Friday, May 24, this event was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served our country.

The ceremony featured the solemn deposition of a flower arrangement, a symbolic gesture to honor the memory of our fallen heroes. It was an opportunity for the staff, students, parents, and wider community members of Learning Ladder to come together in a shared moment of remembrance and gratitude.

This event is not just about paying respects; it’s also about educating the younger generation. By involving young students and their families, Learning Ladder aims to foster a sense of civic responsibility and pride. It’s a chance for children to learn about the importance of service and sacrifice in a tangible, impactful way.

It was a unique occasion to capture the spirit of community and how civic values are being passed down to the youngest among us. The Learning Ladder Early Childhood Center teachers, parents and community came together to honor our heroes and teach the next generation about the values that make our community strong.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON HOSTS BRONX WEEK 2024 VETERANS APPRECIATION LUNCHEON

Bronx, NY – Yesterday, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, and her Veterans Advisory Council hosted the Annual Bronx Veterans Appreciation Day Luncheon as part of Bronx Week 2024. This event was a heartfelt tribute to the courageous men and women who served in the armed forces and live in The Bronx. There were 220 attendees at this year’s luncheon.

This year’s keynote speaker was New York City Civil Court Judge of Bronx County, Yadira Gonzalez-Taylor, who served in the United States Army from 1992 to 1998.

This year’s honorees were:

Linda D. Catlett, Notary Public and Notary Signing Agent (NSA) at Bronx Community College; retired U.S. Navy Veteran

Cornell Nolton, Vice Chairman of the BLISS, Inc. Board of Directors; Sergeant at Arms at BCHS Mental Health Board; retired Vietnam War Veteran

Juan Parra, Chairperson of the Veteran’s Committee at the Bronx Community Board; retired Marine Corp Veteran

Joseph Mondello, Member of Community Board 10; District Commander of American Legion; former Chairman of the Bronx Borough President’s Veterans Advisory Council; retired U.S. Air Force Veteran

SFC Ricardo Garcia, Veterans Coordinator, Hostos Community College, Hostos Office of Veterans Affairs (HOVA); retired U.S. Army National Guard Veteran

Tiana Sloan, Coordinator for Military and Veteran Services at the University of Mount Saint Vincent; Chair of the James J. Peters VA Medical Center’s Volunteer Student Veterans Coalition; President of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 979

For more information on Bronx Week events, visit www.ilovethebronx.com.

Veteran Uncertain About Social Security and Healthcare Coverage

Dear Rusty: I’m not sure what I should sign up for in terms of Social Security: I am 64 and I am still employed full time and intend to stay employed until age 70. I am retired from the Navy and receive military retirement payments, and have military TriCare, as well as medical, dental, eye and life insurance through my employer. I don’t want to lose benefits, but I also don’t want to take Social Security until it reaches the maximum at age 70 (I think that is correct?). I will turn 65 in 4 months. Can you advise me? Signed: Uncertain Veteran

Dear Uncertain Veteran: First of all, thank you for your service to our country. From what you’ve shared, and since you’re still working full time, not claiming Social Security yet is a smart decision. If you were born in 1959 your full retirement age (FRA) is 66 years and 10 months and, if you claim SS before your full retirement age, you’ll be subject to Social Security’s earning test which would likely make you ineligible to receive SS benefits at this time.

The 2024 earnings limit (limit changes yearly) when collecting Social Security early is $22,320 and, if that is exceeded, Social Security will take away $1 in benefits for every $2 over the limit (half of what you exceed the limit by). If you significantly exceed the limit, SS will declare you temporarily ineligible to collect SS benefits until you either reach your FRA or earn less. The earnings test no longer applies after you reach your FRA. So, if you’re now employed full time and plan to stay so until age 70, and you expect at least average longevity (about 84 for someone your current age), delaying until age 70 to claim Social Security is how to get your maximum Social Security benefit.

As for your healthcare coverage as a veteran: TriCare requires you to enroll in Medicare Part A (inpatient hospitalization coverage) and Part B (coverage for outpatient services) at age 65, but you do not need to take Social Security when you enroll in Medicare. You must, however, enroll in Medicare at age 65 or you will lose your TriCare (military) healthcare coverage. You could choose to delay enrolling in Medicare at 65 because you have “creditable” employer coverage, but if you do so you will lose your current TriCare coverage and need to rely solely on your employer healthcare plan. In that case, you would still be able to enroll in both Medicare and TriCare-for-Life without penalty prior to your employer coverage ending and have coverage under both programs thereafter. I suggest you contact TriCare directly at 1-866-773-0404 to discuss your personal TriCare coverage after age 65. You can also go to www.TriCare4U.com.

Whenever you enroll, Medicare will be the primary payer of your healthcare costs and TriCare will be the secondary payor. Your vision, dental, and prescription drug coverage would be through TriCare (Medicare does not cover those services) or acquired separately. Just remember, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B to have TriCare-for-Life coverage after age 65.

Bible Search Answers

The Wall That Heals is Headed to New York City!

The Wall That Heals is Headed to New York City!

This official replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. will be visiting Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens from Sept 27 – Oct 1, 2023.

For more information visit the-wall-that-heals (nyc.gov)

If interested in volunteering visit The Wall That Heals – Volunteer Signup (formsite.com)

In Memory Program

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s In Memory program honors those who returned home from Vietnam and later died.

To have a loved one considered for the In Memory program when The Wall That Heals visits New York City, you must submit your application to VVMF by August 28, 2023.

To apply online, www.vvmf.org/In-Memory-Program or download and fill out the PRINTABLE APPLICATION HERE and mail to the address listed on the form.

If you have any questions please email: InMemory@vvmf.org or review the VVMF Frequently Asked Questions section.

Senate & Assembly Members Dems Announce Legislation Supporting Veterans

Albany, NY – On Tuesday, May 23rd at 12:00 PM, Senators Nathalia Fernandez, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and Assemblymembers Harvey Epstein, Catalina Cruz will hold a press conference for 2 critical pieces of legislation designed to support and assist our nation’s veterans: S4515 and S3586. S4515 relates to adding veterans to protected classes for unlawful housing discrimination. S3586 Establishes the Alex R. Jimenez New York state military immigrant family legacy program.

MAYOR ADAMS REAPPOINTS JAMES HENDON AS COMMISSIONER OF NYC DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ SERVICES

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the reappointment of James Hendon as commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services. Hendon will continue to lead the department to provide the city’s veterans with essential services and programs focused on pivotal areas, such as economic empowerment, housing security, benefits, health and wellness, and culture.

“James Hendon has devoted his career to serving our country and our city, and we are honored to have him continue to serve the tens of thousands of veterans living in New York City as commissioner of the Department of Veterans’ Services,” said Mayor Adams. “As a combat veteran and lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, James has illustrated a sincere commitment to ensuring his fellow veterans have access to services that are both impactful and compassionate. He has a proven track record of being an innovative leader, and I am proud to reappoint him to this role.”

“Commissioner Hendon is truly a tireless advocate for the city’s veterans and their families,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “As a combat veteran, he knows the courage required to serve, the strong bond between service members, and the support needed when returning home. The Department of Veterans’ Services plays a key role in helping service members in their transition to civilian life and is a resource throughout their life whenever they need it. I look forward to continuing to work with Commissioner Hendon in the coming months and years.”

“I am humbled and overjoyed to be given the opportunity to keep serving New York City’s military veterans and their families,” said Commissioner James Hendon. “Mayor Adams has a vision of making New York City a place where, rather than spend disproportionate amounts of time and resources pulling people out of the river downstream, we prevent them from falling into the river upstream in the first place. We at the Department of Veterans’ Services embrace the mayor’s vision as it applies to our veterans and their loved ones. We proudly channel the mayor’s passion, viewpoint, efficiency, and sense of urgency as we empower the city’s veteran community to reach new heights.”

“I am pleased with the reappointment of New York City Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Hendon,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer. “New York City’s veterans are well-served by his effective and accountable leadership, and I look forward to continuing to work with the commissioner to ensure that our veterans have access to high-quality resources.”

“I am pleased that the Adams administration recognizes the great contributions Commissioner James Hendon has made for veterans in New York City, said Charles B. Rangel, former congressman; statesman-in-residence, City College of New York. “I look forward to the mayor’s continued support for Commissioner Hendon and the New York City Department of Veterans‘ Services that has done so much for our city’s military veterans.”

“I am happy to hear that Mayor Adams has reappointed Commissioner Hendon,” said New York City Councilmember Bob Holden. “As chair of the City Council’s Committee on Veterans, I’ve worked with him over the last eight months, and he has been a strong advocate for our veterans. I look forward to continuing to fight along with him for our veterans‘ needs.”

“I want to wholeheartedly congratulate my partner in New York City, James Hendon, on his reappointment as the commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services,” said New York State Division of Veterans’ Services Director Viviana DeCohen. “I look forward to continuing our work and shared mission of providing the best services and programs for New York’s veterans, service members, and their families together.”

“Congratulations, Commissioner Hendon,” said Wendy McClinton, chair, Veterans Advisory Board; and CEO, Black Veterans for Social Justice. “Remember, Forward Ever, Backwards Never! I look forward to our continued collaboration.”

“Commissioner Hendon has been a great partner to the VA,” said Bruce Tucker, interim medical center director, New York Harbor. “His leadership has brought a high degree of collaboration between the VA and New York City to connect veterans to care and services. I am looking forward to this continued partnership with the commissioner and Department of Veterans’ Services.”

“Commissioner Hendon and the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services have been amazing partners to the Bob Woodruff Foundation and its mission,” said Bob Woodruff, founder, Bob Woodruff Foundation. “We are thrilled to continue our collaborative efforts to support and serve New York City veterans under Commissioner Hendon’s visionary leadership.”

About James Hendon

James Hendon is the commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans‘ Services. Previously, Hendon served as director of the New York University Veterans Future Lab, a small business incubator for practicing and aspiring entrepreneurs who are U.S. military veterans or veterans‘ spouses.

A veteran entrepreneur himself, Hendon is the founder and former CEO of the Energy Economic Development Corporation, an organization that provides green energy workforce development training throughout the New York City area. Previously, Hendon served as the COO for BlocPower, a U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored company that helps nonprofits, small businesses, and faith centers perform energy efficiency retrofits. He previously worked as an associate in the Real Estate Investment Banking Group at Deutsche Bank.

Before entering the civilian workforce, Hendon spent seven years in the U.S. Army as an active-duty infantry officer, where he deployed as a mortar platoon leader and battalion public affairs officer to Iraq, worked as an admissions officer for West Point, and served as the senior advisor to the Afghan Border Police in Afghanistan.

Hendon also served as a mayoral appointee on the New York City Veterans Advisory Board. He has volunteered as a longtime mentor for the Eagle Academy for Young Men in the Bronx. Hendon has participated in various fellowships, including the Council of Urban Professionals, the Truman National Security Project, the Environmental Leadership Program, and Presidential Leadership Scholars.

As a drilling U.S. Army reservist, Hendon, a Lieutenant Colonel, currently serves as the battalion commander for 1st Battalion, 411th Regiment, 4th Cavalry Brigade — a logistics support battalion.

Hendon is a graduate of West Point, the Harvard Kennedy School, and the Columbia Business School. He is also a graduate of the Earth Institute’s Program in Conservation and Environmental Sustainability.

MAYOR ERIC ADAMS DELIVERS REMARKS AT ANNUAL MAYOR’S VETERANS DAY BREAKFAST

Commissioner James Hendon, Department of Veterans’ Services: It is my pleasure to introduce the 110th mayor of the City of New York, New York Police Department captain retired, New York state senator emeritus and former chair of the Senate Veterans Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, and Brooklyn borough president emeritus, mayor of the City of New York. Ladies and gentlemen, the Honorable Eric Leroy Adams.

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you. Thank you. Good morning. This is probably one of the most significant days in our city, if not our country, where we turn a conversation into an actual declaration. It’s one thing to say we support our military, our men and women who adorn the uniform, as we sit under the tree of freedom that they watered with their blood. It can’t be just something we articulate, it’s something that we believe. As I drove over here this morning, I reflected on the day during the sixties when I was a little boy and we got the call that my uncle, my mother’s brother, was killed in Vietnam. And that day became so real for me that the conversation of the war left the television station and it entered into our living room. And I rededicated my life to how important it is to be part of this great country.

And it broke my heart when I read a survey that stated that 52 percent of Americans said they would not defend this country if it was attacked by a foreign enemy. But let me tell you something, I’m one of the 48 percenters. I’ll protect this country throughout my entire life. And when I wake up in the morning, I wake up every morning and say the same thing: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And so even when bombs burst in air and that red glare give proof through the night, that our flag is still there. Those bombs don’t have to be physical. It could be the bombs of COVID. It could be the bombs of financial uncertainty. It could be the bombs of losing our employees or employment. It could be any bomb. One thing we can be sure of, that flag will continue to fly because of the men and women who sacrificed their lives to make sure that flag flies.

And to anyone foreign or domestic, there is only one country on the globe with dream is attached to its name. There’s no German dream, no Polish dream, no French dream, but dammit there is an American dream. And this dream is alive and it is well every day. And so the men and women who fight to protect this country, we honor you, we respect you, and we recognize your sacrifice and services. And there’s someone else we recognize. When I retired from the Police Department, I remember my mother collapsing in my arms because of those 22 years she watched Eric and my brother Bernard serve this city. We honor the family members — the family members that watched their loved ones go abroad. The family members that watched their loved one on the frontline defending this country. The family members that lose their loved ones to battle. We honor you, family members. We know what you represent. We know how much you give, how much you sacrifice. Each time your loved ones serve this country, you too serve this country. And we thank you for what you do as well.

And so I’m happy today to march and walk on behalf of the men and women that served this country. And our administration is still with those men and women. You have Commissioner Iscol, Commissioner Hendon, Commissioner Molina. So many of the men and women who fought abroad are now here fighting for you every day. And because of them, I can probably say New York is not coming back, New York is back. Thank you very much.

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Serving Our Nation's Veterans

he U.S. hadn’t yet entered World War II in 1941 when Josephine Herrick first began teaching “defense photography” as the founder of the War Service Photography unit of American Women’s Voluntary Services. Later in the war, she and her colleagues taught photography in St. Albans Naval Hospital to help wounded servicemen recover and return to civilian life. In 1946, after the war had ended, she incorporated her group as Volunteer Service Photographers to keep bringing the power of photography to veterans.

Now renamed in Josephine’s honor, our organization still holds fast to serving military veterans through our photography education and exhibition programs. We continue to use photography as a pathway for veterans’ wellbeing and connectedness—providing skills and opportunities to amplify their voices and explore their experiences through images.

This fall, we are working with more than 25 vets online and in person in New York City and Buffalo through our partnerships with the Harlem Vet Center (part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs), the Odyssey Project, CEPA Gallery, and Downtown Community Television (DCTV). These programs depend on the extraordinary dedication and creativity of our teaching artists: Yael Ben-Zion and Terry Karney, co-teachers of our online courses; Brendan Bannon, founder and leader of the Odyssey Project; and his teaching assistants, Rob Healey in Buffalo and Pierre Osias in New York City.

New online classes this winter are starting soon, and we’re planning for ongoing mentoring and new in-person and online workshops and classes in spring and summer of 2023, including a special evening at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

Special thanks go to our major funders for our veterans programs: Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants, part of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Creative Forces^® initiative, in partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance; the New York City Council’s Veterans Community Development Initiative, administered by the Department of Youth and Community Development; and the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation. Cameras for the Odyssey Project provided by Canon U.S.A.

Please join them in supporting our work with veterans. Your donation continues Josephine Herrick’s legacy of serving those who serve.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES FIRST SECTION OF EAST SIDE COASTAL RESILIENCY PROJECT COMPLETED AS ASSER LEVY PLAYGROUND REOPENS WITH NEW FLOODWALL AND RESILIENT PLAY AREAS

ESCR Project Will Help Protect Communities from Future Storm Surge and Sea-Level Rise, Improve Access Via Expanded Connections Between Communities and Waterfront, Provide Enhanced Public Space with Upgraded Facilities and Resilient Design

Project Will Create Nearly 1,000 New Jobs for New Yorkers

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today celebrated the completion of the first part of the East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) Project that represents a new class of resilient infrastructure for New York City. The project will offer coastal protection that protects New York City’s waterfront neighborhoods from devastating storm surge and regular tidal flooding, while also improving accessibility, increasing ecological diversity, and delivering improved recreational amenities to a vibrant and highly diverse community. The entire project — expected to be complete in 2026 — is also creating nearly 1,000 new jobs in New York City and has involved a multitude of city agencies, including the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks), the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ), the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the New York City Department of City Planning (DCP), and the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT).

“Climate change is here, and with it are hotter temperatures, heavier rainfall, and more dangerous flooding,” said Mayor Adams. “The East Side Coastal Resiliency project is more than infrastructure; it’s how we will protect our city from rising seas and stronger storms. This one project will create good jobs, put cutting edge technology and engineering into action, and, most importantly, protect more than 100,000 New York City residents from extreme weather. New York City is leading the way on climate, and we will continue to address the extreme weather threats that every neighborhood faces with the urgency it demands.”

“It’s simple powerful logic, we need strong walls to protect against increasingly stronger storms,” said Deputy Mayor of Operations Meera Joshi. “Today we celebrate an important milestone in completing New York City’s 2.4-mile corridor of storm protection, as the city models how to protect cities and citizens from the dangerous effects of climate change.”

“One of the nation’s largest resiliency projects doesn’t just prevent flooding, East Side Coastal Resiliency also enhances open spaces and recreational spaces for more than 110,000 residents,” said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley. “Asser Levy Playground is the first of five park areas to reopen with new resilient play equipment and flood protection integrated into the landscaping. Other local parks will be rebuilt with new bridges, better pedestrian access, new play areas, and thousands of new trees. This comprehensive approach to planning and integration is a model for future coastal protection projects that seek to improve waterfront access.”

“Preparing our city for more frequent and more intense storms requires a visionary transformation of our public spaces, our infrastructure, and our approach to how our built environment serves New Yorkers,” said Kizzy Charles-Guzman, executive director, MOCEJ. “The completion of the first section of the East Side Coastal Resiliency project marks a critical milestone in one of the most ambitious and technically complex climate infrastructure projects in New York City history. The new Asser Levy Playground has been rebuilt as infrastructure to protect the community it serves from storm surge and sea level rise, and is an example of our work to ensure New Yorkers can live, learn, work, and play in safe, healthy, resilient, and sustainable environments, even as the climate changes.”

“ESCR is making beloved waterfront parks resilient and providing lifesaving flood protection for surrounding communities,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Thanks to this innovative project, Asser Levy Playground now has an upgraded basketball court and new play equipment — and, more importantly, the site is better protected to ensure it will continue serving New Yorkers for generations to come.”

“DOT is proud to be part of the great team of city agencies contributing to the vitally important East Side Coastal Resiliency Project,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We are thrilled to see the Asser Levy Playground reopen and we are excited for the upcoming improvements along the waterfront, including a wider and safer East River Greenway for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as three new pedestrian bridges. We commend Mayor Adams and our sister agencies, who have already made such significant progress on this massive project.”

“This revamped Asser Levy playground not only looks great, but it is also adding critical flood protection for this East Side neighborhood. This area was severely battered by Superstorm Sandy. We are proud to have played a role in planning for this public amenity and in protecting New Yorkers from the serious risks of coastal flooding,” said DCP Director Dan Garodnick.

Asser Levy Playground is home to the northern end of the ESCR Project, a $1.45 billion project that will create a 2.4-mile flood barrier of berms, floodwalls, moveable gates and raised parkland that will protect 110,000 East Side residents — including 28,000 NYCHA residents — from future storms and tidal flooding. Of the $1.45 billion, $338 million of funding is being provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The entire span of the ESCR project — located within the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 100-year floodplain — will incorporate 18 movable gates from Asser Levy Playground (located along Franklin Delano Roosevelt Drive from East 23^rd Street to East 25^th Street) down to Montgomery Street. The entire project is being installed in phases to ensure the community has access to recreational areas during construction. This project is a crucial part of the Adams administration’s work to ensure that New York City is better prepared to withstand the impacts of climate change.

Asser Levy Playground now features 320 feet of new floodwall, along with a new 79-foot-long, 45-ton sliding steel floodgate. The first protective flood gate — measuring 42 feet and weighing 16 tons — was installed as part of the flood wall near Stuyvesant Cove Park in February. Once ESCR is completed, the floodgate will be closed ahead of any future flooding event. The wall will protect the adjacent Margaret Cochran Corbin VA Campus and Hospital, as well as the park’s recreation center and outdoor pool, allowing it to stay online after a major storm. The playground and basketball court areas have also been rebuilt with resilient materials and play equipment that has been designed to withstand future flooding. In the event of a storm, the playground will be able to reopen more quickly due to these new resiliency features.

The ESCR project is also upgrading East River Park, Corlears Hook Park, Murphy Brothers Playground, Stuyvesant Cove Park, and other open spaces in the area, making them more resilient and accessible for all, while adding new and improved amenities, including improved waterfront access through reconstructed bridges and entry points. East River Park will be elevated approximately eight feet with upgraded recreational facilities, new passive-use areas, and approximately 2,000 trees — including 50 different species selected for their ability to withstand salt spray and extreme weather. The ESCR project will also build footings for a future pedestrian bridge elevating the Manhattan Greenway over its narrowest point along the East River, improving community access to the park.

NYC Parks has additionally made numerous improvements to local parks and open spaces as part of the city’s response to the community’s need for supplemental recreational resources during project construction. New Yorkers looking for more information on where to play and relax during construction can visit NYC Parks’ Recreational Resources map.

The level of flood protection provided by ESCR is equal to the region’s “worst-case” anticipated 100-year storm in the 2050s, based on future climate change projections produced by the New York City Panel on Climate Change (NPCC), an independent body composed of climate scientists that advises city policymakers on local resiliency and adaptation strategies. The project uses an adaptive design that can accommodate the addition of two more feet of elevation throughout the project area should sea levels in the coming decades rise faster than current projections anticipate.

The city previously sponsored an ESCR “Call For Art” for New York City students from kindergarten to 12^th grade plus local artists highlighting the importance of coastal protection and resiliency. More than 40 pieces were selected based on themes varying by grade level. Each piece was rated on the responsiveness to the theme, creativity, originality, artistic quality, composition, visual impact, and overall impression. Selected pieces have been reproduced on 12-feet by 5-feet vinyl banners and are on display throughout the East Side Coastal Resiliency project area. Students whose works were selected for display were honored at a ceremony at Asser Levy Playground in June.

“Asser Levy Playground has undergone many changes in the last decade,” said Manhattan Community Board 6 Chair Kyle Athayde. “A good bit of the park space we enjoy today used to be a street, Asser Levy Place. The street was de-mapped and repurposed to expand the park footprint to what we see today. Just a few years later in 2020, work on the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project commenced, and along with it came the closure of Asser Levy Playground. Our community felt this closure quite acutely as the closure came during the second wave of the pandemic, before the release of vaccines and when spending time outdoors was one of the few safe activities our community had. Manhattan Community Board 6 is overjoyed to see Asser Levy Playground reopened once again. As a district that suffers from a shortage of open space, the reopening of this playground means that residents of Manhattan Community District 6 have badly needed open space once again available to us!”

“We’re incredibly happy to see this vision come to life,” said Amy Chester, managing director, Rebuild by Design. “This project has shown that adapting to climate change will be hard and will require tradeoffs. We can learn from the past and work together to ensure that we are creating climate infrastructure that enhances communities every day — and helps protect us when we are hit with devastating weather.”

“We are proud to have worked alongside the city on this vital infrastructure project,” said Bruce Tucker, interim medical center director, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System. “By protecting our facility and the surrounding neighborhood from climate-related events, the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project will help us continue to deliver world-class health care to New York’s Veterans.”

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) can provide economic relief to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are provided directly to States, U.S. Territories, local governments, and Indian tribes. Grantees use the funds to provide assistance to eligible households through existing or newly created rental assistance programs.

An “eligible household” is defined as a renter household in which at least one or more individuals meets the following criteria:

Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19
Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability and
Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income.
ERAP is not guaranteed and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

You can apply here.

If you need help completing the application, you can call Monday-Saturday, from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm at 1-844-NY1-RENT (1-844-691-7368).

Now more than ever, your support will help America’s veterans find victory.

As veterans face new challenges, support for their victories is more vital than ever before. By finding space for our new print PSAs, you’ll help remind people to keep space in their hearts for those who have sacrificed so much.

DAV (Disabled American Veterans) helps more than a million veterans every year to find the health care, employment, education, and financial benefits they’ve earned.

Each of our new print PSAs features a real story of a real veteran, who has found their personal victory with the help of DAV. With your support, more veterans will get the care and benefits they need.

We hope you’ll help get these powerful messages out to your readers. You’ll find the PSAs for immediate download at davpsa.org. Resizes are available upon request.

Thank you for your support. And thank you for helping America’s veterans.

Sincerely,
Rob Lewis
DAV National Director of Communications

If you have any questions, or would like custom sizes, please contact Pam Atkinson at psa@dav.org or 410-626-0805.