Workers help consumers fight fraud ALBANY — There will always be businesses or vendors that try to scam New Yorkers out of their hard-earned money. But the state Attorney General’s Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau is there to help New York residents resolve problems with less-than-honest businesses. The bureau, one of the busiest ones in the attorney general’s office, not only prosecutes businesses and individuals engaged in fraudulent, misleading, deceptive or illegal trade practices, but helps protect consumers. And CSEA members play a vital role in keeping the bureau running smoothly. Lisa Robinson-Parker, a CSEA member and 24-year secretary in the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau, sees new cases every day. “People call up and they are very frustrated,” she said. “We try to help them.” Robinson-Parker said fraud against senior citizens is prevalent. She warned consumers to be mindful of their personal information, noting that the old adage, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” still applies. “No one is giving away free money,” Robinson-Parker said. Protecting consumers Darius Griffith, a CSEA member and consumer fraud clerk since 1998, said the objective of both his job and the agency is “protecting the consumers’ trust.” The process begins with the consumer filing a complaint. From there, the complaint is reviewed and either sent to mediation or referred to another agency. Lisa Robinson-Parker, a secretary in the state Attorney General’s Office’s Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau, helps New Yorkers resolve their issues with less-than-honest businesses. In some cases the complaint might move from mediation to arbitration before being settled. “We have a 78 percent success rate, largely related to how much information is given,” said Griffith. He noted that the top three complaint topics relate to cars, senior fraud and landlord/tenant issues. Griffith said he feels good about the work he does and about the role the attorney general’s staff plays in helping people. Griffith is also proud that the Lemon Law that protects buyers of new or used cars was designed in this office and also enforced through it. A highlight for Griffith came a few years ago when numerous complaints were filed against Dell Computers relating to their ads, the warranty and the products. “It was a two or three year event,” Griffith said. “We filed a lawsuit and won. Everyone who filed received restitution. It was great a moment.” — Therese Assalian Want to learn more or need help with a conflict with a business? Consumers can file a complaint with the state Attorney General’s Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau. Call: 800-771-7755 or 518-474-5481 Online: www.ag.ny.gov/consumer-frauds Visit the improved CSEA e-Store The CSEA e-Store website has been improved to offer CSEA locals, units and individual members a fresh way to show their true CSEA colors. It provides a sure-proof way of knowing that items purchased are union-made in the USA. Items can be purchased individually or in large quantity, tapping into the buying power of CSEA. The e-Store can also handle custom orders and special items. A new brochure was provided to delegates at the recent Annual Delegates Meeting. The e-store is accessible through the CSEA website at www.cseany. org or via direct link: at http://www.cseastore.com/m/welcome.aspx. 6 The Work Force November 2014
Nov_14_WF
To see the actual publication please follow the link above