Here Are NYC's Biggest Scams, Consumer Complaints Of 2022

NEW YORK CITY — Fraudsters took hard-earned dollars from thousands of New Yorkers' pockets in 2022, judging by recently released consumer complaints data.

Online purchase scams drew the most consumer ripoff complaints received by Metro New York Better Business Bureau last year, according to the group. They sapped at least $358,000 from New York City-area resident, the group found.

Likewise, retail sales — which included online purchases — topped the top complaints received by New York Attorney General Letitia James' office. More than 5,200 such complaints were made, according to her office.

“From predatory debt collection to price gouging, scammers tried to take advantage of consumers for personal gain, and we took appropriate action to stop it," James said in a statement.

"As always, I urge New Yorkers to stay vigilant and to keep my office informed about potential scams, price gouging, or violations of consumer protection laws.”

Both James' office and the BBB released top 10 lists of consumer complaints and scams seen in 2022 to mark the Federal Trade Commission's National Consumer Protective week.

The lists serve as a warning sign for New York City's consumers.

James' office saw complaints ranging from price gouging of infant formula to flight cancelations, according to a release.

Here's the office's top 10 complaint categories:

1. Retail Sales — Price gouging, retail sales, online purchases, defective merchandise, poor customer service, pet stores, and animal breeders. 5,240 complaints.
2. Landlord/Tenant — Security deposit releases, evictions, tenant harassment. 3,014 complaints.
3. Credit, Banking & Mortgages — Debt collection, credit card billing, debt settlement, payday loans, credit repair, credit reporting agencies, identity theft, banking, loan modification scams, mortgage lending and servicing. 2,834 complaints.
4. Consumer Services — COVID-19 testing facilities, alarm companies, dry cleaners, restaurants, movers, storage facilities, services for personal household use. 2,730 complaints.
5. Automobile — Sales, service, financing, repairs. 2,590 complaints.
6. Internet — Internet services and service providers, data privacy and security, digital media, frauds through internet manipulation. 2,355 complaints.
7. Utilities — Wireless and residential phones, energy servicers and suppliers, cable, and satellite. 1,896 complaints.
8. Home Repair/Improvement — Repair issues, deceitful contractors, solar panel installations. 1,264 complaints.
9. Travel — Airline customer service, flight cancellations, and refunds. 787 complaints.
10. Gasoline Prices — Price gouging, excessive pricing, credit card surcharges. 661 complaints.

The BBB saw 77,000 complaints last year, according to its numbers.

Financial service industry businesses — most prominently, one dealing in cryptocurrency — drew the most complaints for the second year, according to the BBB. Those complaints actually rose 15 percent from the year before.

Meanwhile, telecommunications company complaints stayed in second place, even while the total number of grievances dropped 27 percent, according to the BBB.

Here are the Metro New York BBB's top consumer complaint categories:

1. Financial Services and Insurance
2. Telecommunications
3. Online Retailer and Internet Sales and Services
4. Apparel, Department, and General Retail Stores
5. Health, Beauty, and Athletic Supplies and Fitness
6. Travel
7. Automotive
8. Household and Office Furnishings
9. Hobby, Leisure, and Entertainment Events, Services, and Venues
10. Consumer Technology and Major Appliances

Scams took at least $2.2 million from New York City-area consumers, BBB complaint data shows.

In terms of scam complaints, financial services and insurance held the top spot, according to the BBB.

Employment scams, which had the number two slot, rose 15 percent during the year, the data shows.

Here are the Metro New York BBB's top scam categories, by complaints:

1. Online Purchase
2. Employment
3. Phishing
4. Sweepstakes/Lottery/Prizes
5. Fake Invoice/Supplier Bill
6. Cryptocurrency
7. Travel/Vacation/Timeshare
8. Government Agency Imposter
9. Advance Fee Loan
10. Bank/Credit Card Company Imposter

Consumers can make scam reports to the BBB byBBB.org/ScamTracker.

Consumers can file complaints to the state Attorney General by completing and submitting a Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau online complaint form or by calling (800) 771-7755 if they are unable to submit a form online.