A.G. Schneiderman Sets Up New Statewide “Office Hours” In Storm Ravaged Areas To Provide Assistance To New Yorkers

ALBANY – In the aftermath of recent storms that ravaged parts of New York, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced his office will hold “office hours” in impacted communities across the state beginning Friday to make it easier for consumers to raise storm-related questions or problems. In addition to the Attorney General’s 13 regional offices that are always open weekdays during regular business hours, OAG officials will be holding walk-in meetings for storm victims in impacted locations statewide to directly address concerns related to price gouging, insurance policies and delayed debt payments, among other issues. Additional office hours will be scheduled as needed in other impacted areas.

“After the storms have subsided and the cameras and attention disappear, people across New York will still be struggling to get back on their feet. Our regional offices are always open, but to make it even easier for storm victims, we are going directly to the communities that have been impacted,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Those living in affected regions are having to deal with not only the damage of the storm itself, but also with the difficulties of recovery. Whether it’s related to byzantine insurance claims or avoiding the pitfalls of overpriced repairs, storm victims need all the help they can get to navigate through this challenging process. We stand ready to assist them.”

In the aftermath of Irene, Lee and other recent storms, the Office of Attorney General has received a number of storm-related complaints and questions, including those involving potential price gouging. To address New Yorkers’ concerns directly, office hours will be held in the following locations, beginning Friday, September 16th:

Chenango County
Chenango County Office Building
Board of Supervisors’ Conference Room
5 Court Street
Norwich
September 20 & 27
1PM – 4PM

Delaware County (2 locations):
Sidney Civic Center
21 Liberty Street
Sidney
September 23
10AM – 1PM

Middletown Town Hall
42339 State Highway 28
Margaretville
September 30
11AM – 2PM

Essex County
Essex County Courthouse
Board of Supervisors' Chambers (Old Courthouse, Main Floor)
7559 Court Street
Elizabethtown
September 21 & 28
12PM – 3PM

Greene County
County Offices
Address: 411 Main Street, 4th Floor
Catskill
September 22 & 29
10AM – 2PM

Montgomery County
Village Hall, First Floor
Rte 5S-168 Canal Street
Ft. Plain
September 22 & 29
10AM – 2PM

Orange County
SUNY Orange
BIOTECH Room 207
115 South Street
Middletown
September 22 & 26 
1PM – 4PM

Otsego County
Oneonta City Hall
258 Main Street
Oneonta
September 22 & 29
10AM – 1PM

Schenectady County
Rotterdam Square Mall
93 W Campbell Rd
Schenectady
September 20 & 27
12PM – 3PM

Schoharie County

Sullivan County
Sullivan County Government Center
Legislative Hearing Room, 2nd floor
100 North Street
Monticello
September 16 & 21
1PM – 4PM

Tioga County
Owego Village Hall 
178 Main Street
Owego
September 21 & 28
10AM – 1PM

Ulster County
Ulster County Office Building
Office of County Executive
244 Fair Street, 6th Floor
Kingston
September 21 & 28
10AM — 1PM

In addition, the Attorney General's Regional Offices are always open to receive storm-related questions, concerns or complaints. These offices are located in Albany, Binghamton, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Harlem, Hauppauge, Mineola, Plattsburgh, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Watertown and White Plains. To find the location of the regional office nearest to you, please Click here.

New York State law forbids retailers selling essential consumer goods and services — like food, water, gas, generators, batteries and flashlights, and services such as storm clean-up and disposal — from charging excessive prices during an abnormal disruption of the market.

Last week, Attorney General Schneiderman issued a guide to New Yorkers recovering from recent storms, including tips on how to avoid scams as they restore and rebuild their homes and businesses. The Attorney General's guide includes tips to protect consumers from scams related to home repair, clean up services and tree removal, and he's urging individuals who believe they have been scammed to contact his office at: 800-771-7755.

For a print version of the office’s storm tip guide, consumers can visit the Attorney General's website at:Click here.