Adobe Acrobat Reader (required to view PDFs)	NY Multi-County Enforcement Sweep Hammers Unlicensed Home Improvement Contractors DCA announced that New York officials conducted a three-county, five-week enforcement sweep against unlicensed contractors, together issuing nearly 700 violations, 17 criminal summonses or arrests, and more than 130 seizures of vehicles owned by unlicensed contractors. DCA's partners included the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, Nassau County's Office of Consumer Affairs, and Westchester County's Department of Consumer Protection. Read the press release Check whether a home improvement contractor is licensed File a complaint against a home improvement contractor Additional resources for homeowners Need a home improvement contractor or salesperson license? Mayor Bloomberg Releases DCA OFE's First Neighborhood Financial Services Study; Announces Other Key Empowerment Initiatives Mayor Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Gibbs, DCA Commissioner Mintz, and CEO Executive Director White released the findings of the Neighborhood Financial Services Study; officially opened the Financial Empowerment Center in Melrose, which offers free financial counseling services to Bronx residents; and announced the launch of the first-ever online searchable "Financial Education Network" directory and awarding of a $1.45 million grant to the Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) Coalition. Read the press release Get a copy of the study Learn about the Center in Melrose Search the directory Learn more about CFE Just Announced: Summer 2008's Must-Have Sidewalk Café Cocktails Results from the 3rd Annual Sidewalk Café Drink Mix-Off are in! Co-sponsored by DCA and the New York State Restaurant Association, the Mix-Off is a spirited event to celebrate the City's booming outdoor dining industry. Read the press release Get winning drink recipes and more Looking to dine alfresco? Find a legally operating sidewalk café in your neighborhood Introducing DCA's "Green" Annual Report! Forget paper! View DCA's annual report online to learn about the agency's work last year. Slide shows will appear on your screen in a new window. Enjoy! View the annual report Online License Renewal Service Offered to business categories as licenses come due for renewal, DCA's Online License Renewal Service is making it faster and more convenient than ever for businesses to renew their licenses online, from anywhere and at any time. DCA's Online License Renewal Service DCA Held a Public Hearing on Process Server Practices in New York City Read the press release Need a process server license? Get more information It's Your Identity. Protect It! DCA kicked off its identity theft protection public awareness campaign with Shred Fest NYC. Shredding is one important way to protect your identity. Get additional ID theft prevention tips for consumers [English   Español] Get additional ID theft prevention tips for businesses [English] Read the press release Learn more about Shred Fest [English   Español] IRS Warns Taxpayers about Rebate Scams Be on guard if you receive a phone call or e-mail from someone claiming to be from the IRS. The IRS issued a warning about scams that use "teasers" like rebate checks or audits to deceive taxpayers and businesses and steal personal information. Read the IRS press release Top five scams to avoid Learn more about the Economic Stimulus Payment DCA's OFE in The Economist DCA's Office of Financial Empowerment was featured in The Economist for promoting increased financial education for all New Yorkers, and providing unique financial products that fit the needs of New Yorkers with low incomes. Read the article Learn more about DCA's Office of Financial Empowerment Mayor Bloomberg and San Francisco Mayor Newsom Launch the Cities for Financial Empowerment Coalition Read the press release Visit CFE online NYC Calls for Expanded Guidelines in Marketing Environmentally Friendly Products In formal comments to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), DCA encouraged the FTC to expand its "green" marketing guidelines to require businesses to clarify terms they use in consumer advertising. DCA seeks to stop businesses from misrepresenting environmental benefits in marketing, such as "energy efficient," which the agency found especially prevalent in the City's electronics and home improvement industries. Read DCA's comments to FTC Get more information from the FTC File a complaint about false advertising DCA Held a Public Hearing on Used Car Dealer Practices in New York City Read the press release Get Quick Car-Buying Tips Used Car Sales Consumer Guide (in PDF) False Advertising: How to Spot It and Read the Fine Print (in PDF) File a complaint against a used car dealer NYC Calls for Improved Marketing Standards for Energy Service Companies The New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) and DCA joined forces to petition the Public Service Commission (PSC) to establish stronger regulations and marketing standards for energy service companies (ESCOs) to protect consumers against aggressive and unsavory marketing tactics. Read DCA's comments to PSC PSC's response to DCA/CPB petition (in PDF) DCA/CPB petition to PSC (in PDF) Read the press release Visit CPB's Web site File your utility complaint with PSC DCA Seeks to Stop Account Freezes of Exempt Federal Benefit Funds DCA urged the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to strengthen its guidelines to require banks to comply with federal law exempting federal benefit funds—such as Social Security and Veterans' payments—from garnishment orders and account freezes. Read DCA's Comments to OCC (in PDF) Contacted by a debt collector? Get quick tips (in PDF) Read DCA's Debt Collection Guide (in PDF) File a complaint against a debt collection agency Lead-Safe Paint Removal Methods Lead paint is harmful. City law makes sure storeowners and customers know safe and legal paint removal methods. Storeowners must post a notice where visible to customers. Download a copy and get in-store signage right now. Learn more (in PDF) Get in-store signage (in PDF) Download the brochure in English (in PDF) Download the brochure en Español (in PDF) Products Containing Endangered Species City law prohibits selling or buying products that use ingredients from endangered species. Download information in   English   Español   中文	ACCESS NYC Affordable Housing Resource Center Career Opportunities Get the EITC Laws of the City of New York Licensed Tour Guides List (in PDF) NYC Council Milk Prices Report (in PDF) NYC Law Governing Income Tax Preparation NYS Voter Info Ready New York U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (Recall Information)
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