New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on April 23 that state agencies had recovered more than $237.7 million for consumers in 2025.
Agencies involved included the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Department of Public Service (DPS), Department of Labor (NYSDOL) and the Division of Consumer Protection. The DFS resolved a record 51,000 complaints from New Yorkers, helping to address disputes with banks and financial service providers.
In 2025, the DPS held more than 97 public hearings, receiving 41,871 public comments and issuing 758 orders. The DPS returned $22.8 million to customers who complained about utilities, marking a 75 percent increase from 2024. Additionally, $28.9 million in penalties were imposed on utilities for poor customer service. The DPS also reports monthly on complaints and utility responsiveness to ensure compliance with laws.
The NYSDOL returned more than $35 million in lost wages and collected $2.2 million in penalties from more than 5,000 employers, marking the highest amount since 2015. Since 2021, NYSDOL has recovered more than $130 million for workers.
Hochul’s fiscal year 2025-2026 budget expanded the NYSDOL’s authority to combat wage theft, including stronger penalties for employers who fail to pay workers. The Wage Theft Task Force continues to focus on protecting workers, especially in construction.
The Department of State assisted more than 27,000 households with marketplace disputes, returning nearly $2.7 million to consumers and conducting educational events for more than 110,000 individuals. The most common complaints involved business policies, automobiles, merchandise, professional services and delivery issues.
“New York State has taken decisive action to protect consumers and keep affordability front and center using every tool available to deliver real results to hardworking families,” Hochul said in a press release. “Through strong enforcement by our state agencies, we’ve advanced fairness, transparency, and consumer protections to put New Yorkers first.”