NY AG Exposes Top 10 Scams of ’25, Retail Tops List

NEW YORK – While the city sleeps, the grifters are wide awake. New York Attorney General Letitia James today ripped the cover off the state’s most rampant consumer scams of 2025, revealing a landscape littered with deceptive practices and preying on vulnerable New Yorkers. Leading the charge? Retail fraud, with a staggering 4,809 complaints filed with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) last year.

The OAG’s annual report, released as part of National Consumer Protection Week, paints a grim picture. Beyond the retail rip-offs—covering everything from deceptive advertising and price gouging to defective merchandise and abysmal customer service—the list reads like a who’s who of predatory schemes. Internet fraud clocked in second with 4,595 complaints, followed closely by automobile scams (4,521) and financial crimes involving credit, banking, and mortgages (4,235). Landlord/tenant disputes continue to plague the city, racking up 4,041 complaints, while seemingly innocuous consumer services accounted for 3,330.

“New Yorkers are already feeling the squeeze of higher prices, and scams, hidden fees, and deceptive practices can make daily life even harder to afford,” Attorney General James stated bluntly. “My office will not tolerate companies that take advantage of New Yorkers, and I am committed to enforcing the law and returning money to consumers who are cheated. I urge everyone to stay alert and report suspected scams and fraud to my office so we can continue protecting New Yorkers’ wallets.”

The report details a broad spectrum of offenses. Utilities (1,423 complaints) saw issues with wireless, energy, and cable services. Home repair and improvement scams (1,349) continued to bleed homeowners dry with deceitful contractors and questionable solar panel installations. Even entertainment (1,079) and travel (718) weren’t immune, with complaints centering on ticket sales, flight cancellations, and refund battles. But the real money, it seems, is in convincing people they’re getting a deal when they’re not.

A particularly insidious trend highlighted by the AG’s office is algorithmic pricing – or “surveillance pricing.” Companies are increasingly using personal data to set individualized prices, meaning you might pay more for the same item as your neighbor. New York’s Algorithmic Pricing Disclosure Act, which took effect November 10, 2025, aims to shed light on this practice, requiring companies to disclose when prices are personalized. The AG advises consumers to compare prices online and watch for discrepancies in discounts.

Attorney General James isn’t just pointing fingers; she’s urging action. New Yorkers who believe they’ve been victimized are encouraged to file a consumer complaint online at [link to complaint form – omitted for safety] or call 1-800-771-7755. This isn’t about paperwork; it’s about hitting these criminals where it hurts—their bottom line. The OAG is promising a relentless pursuit of justice, and for New Yorkers getting fleeced daily, that’s a promise worth paying attention to.

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