The New York Attorney General issued consumer guidance warning donors about sham charities and people misrepresenting their connection to relief efforts after a Brooklyn building collapse. The release provides tips for verifying fundraisers and protecting personal and payment information; it announces no enforcement action or penalty.
This release does not impose privacy-related contractual requirements. Organizations using fundraising platforms or third-party campaign organizers should nevertheless review vendor and platform agreements for identity-verification and charity-authorization obligations, restrictions on use of the organization’s name or logo, disclosure of fees and use of donations, reporting on campaign proceeds, and safeguards for donor personal and payment information. Review privacy notices and data-processing terms for clear limits on collection, use, sharing, and retention of donor data.
Entity
New York Attorney General's Office
Industry
Other"Office of the Attorney General (OAG)"
"November 13, 2026"
"today provided guidance to New Yorkers looking to support those who survived a recent collapse of an apartment building in Brooklyn."
"be wary of sham charities that may take advantage of their concern and bad actors who misrepresent themselves as being associated with a charity or relief efforts."
New York Attorney General Letitia James joined eight other attorneys general in issuing a statement criticizing a DOJ judicial misconduct complaint against nearly all federal district court judges in Minnesota. The release concerns judicial independence, not a privacy enforcement action; it announces no penalty or privacy-related remedy.
New York Attorney General Letitia James submitted testimony to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs' Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, calling for stronger regulations on cryptocurrency platforms to protect consumers and investors from scams. The testimony details the flood of cryptocurrency scams costing Americans billions annually and criticizes the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act for undermining state enforcement efforts.
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued guidance to New Yorkers donating to Venezuela earthquake relief, warning about fraudulent charities and scams. The guidance provides tips on verifying charities, avoiding phishing, and reporting suspicious organizations.
New York, the FTC, and 12 other states sued to block Covetrus, Inc.’s proposed acquisition of MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc., alleging the merger would substantially reduce competition in veterinary supply distribution and raise costs. The companies agreed to a temporary restraining order barring completion of the merger before December 4, 2026, and the coalition is seeking further injunctive relief.
$2.4M
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced settlements with Carelon after investigations found inaccurate mental health provider directories and improper denials of substance use disorder treatment using unapproved criteria. Carelon must pay $2.35 million in penalties, fees, and costs, provide eligible members with restitution or repayment, and change its provider-directory and coverage-review practices.
The New York Attorney General issued a consumer alert and online guide about scams targeting service members and veterans, including phishing and credit-monitoring scams that may misuse personal information. The release provides steps for protecting information and reporting suspected scams; it does not announce an enforcement action or monetary penalty.