WCDO Radio News

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has sent formal inquiries regarding data security to Credit Check companies Experian and TransUnion, following the Equifax breach that exposed the personal information of millions. The Attorney General's office asks the companies to detail the security measures that were in place before they learned of the Equifax breach; steps the companies have taken since learning of the breach, and how they will further assist consumers in protecting their personal information. Equifax announced a massive breach affecting 143 million Americans and over 8 million New Yorkers, Hackers accessed names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, driver's license numbers & Credit Card Numbers.

The State Attorney General Eric Schneidermann said that his office receives complaints from consumers about tax-related schemes, by scammers who are impersonating IRS officials and attempting to collect bogus tax debts, by phone calls or emails. The IRS and legitimate government agencies will never demand immediate payment or payment information over the phone. New Yorkers can report potential scams to the Attorney General's office at 1-800-771-7755. Scams or the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman warned immigrants of scams, where people have been fraudulently posing as Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents scams and demanding money in order to avoid deportation. Schneiderman said that his office has received an increasing number of scams as deportation raids that been have taken place. To report potential fraud, people are asked to call the Attorney General's Immigration Services Fraud Unit Hotline at (866) 390-2992 or email Civil.Rights@ag.ny.gov.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a settlement with Cigna, requiring the health insurer to eliminate a ban on coverage for claims for neuropsychological testing of psychiatric conditions and autism spectrum disorder. An investigation was launched following a complaint last year about Cigna’s policy. Under the terms of the settlement, the company agrees to comply with Timothy's Law, which is named for a 13-year-old Schenectady boy who committed suicide after an insurance denial. The settlement requires Cigna to revise its policies, pay autism claims previously rejected, and pay a penalty of $50,000.