Lance's Corner

Governor Hochul Issues Alert on Text and Web Site Scams

Aug 15, 2025

Per the notice below, Governor Hochul has issued an alert on text message scams and Web site impersonation scams.

Governor Hochul Warns New Yorkers About Scam Texts and Imitation Websites Seeking Personal Information

Scams Claim Customer Owes Fines for Traffic Tickets or for E-ZPass Fees

‘Spoofed’ Websites Are Designed to Look Like Official DMV or Toll Collection Web Pages

Governor Kathy Hochul today alerted New Yorkers to the newest efforts to steal their personal information by people pretending to be the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles or tolling agencies.  The culprits design phony websites and phishing text messages to look legitimate, all to trick people into providing personal information that can be used to commit identity theft and fraud.

“While I’m working hard to put money in New Yorkers’ pockets, scammers are using deceptive text messages to do the opposite — taking your hard-earned money and your personal information in the process,” Governor Hochul said.  “I’m standing up to fight back against these schemes, and I’ll always defend New Yorkers against anyone trying to take advantage of them.  Enough is enough.”

Scammers often target older adults and other vulnerable New Yorkers, using urgent language to pressure victims into acting quickly.  New Yorkers are urged to check in with relatives, friends, or neighbors who may be at greater risk of falling victim to these schemes.  You can find an example of a ‘spoofed’ website here.  The scams claim to be from DMV and that a driver’s license is about to be suspended.  A very short window of time is then given for payment.  Previous scams have claimed that E-ZPass accounts were about to be suspended.  The official DMV website is dmv.ny.gov.  If you did share your personal information, you should also check your credit reports regularly.  You can contact any of the three credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian) to place a credit freeze or fraud alert on your account.  You should also change your passwords, check your computer or devices for viruses, and notify your bank and other companies that you have accounts with.  Phishing texts and imitation websites are designed to obtain data or sensitive personal information to be used to commit identity theft or trick the recipient into installing malicious software onto a computer or mobile device.  DMV created a page on its website about these phishing attacks.  You can find examples of the text messages there as well.  The New York State Department of Information Technology Services offers advice on avoiding these phishing attacks:

  • Be cautious about all communications you receive, including those that claim to be from "trusted entities."  Be careful when clicking any links contained within those messages.  If in doubt, do not click.
  • Do not send your personal information via e-mail.  Legitimate businesses will not ask users to send sensitive personal information through e-mail.
  • Keep an eye out for telltale signs: poor spelling or grammar, the use of threats, or the URL does not match that of the legitimate site.
  • Be wary of how much information you post online.  The less information you post, the less data you make available to a cybercriminal for use in developing a potential attack or scam.

Here is an example of what the latest scam text looks like.

In addition, the New York State Thruway Authority and MTA Bridges & Tunnels are raising awareness of scam texts seeking to collect E-ZPass or toll by mail fees.  E-ZPass or Tolls By Mail will never send a text or e-mail requesting sensitive personal information.  Since the launch of Congestion Relief in January, text messaging scams from “NY Toll Services” or other fictitious names have sought to collect tolls for the Congestion Relief Zone.  New Yorkers are advised to not access any links sent within the message or engage with the message.  Real communications from E-ZPass New York will only refer customers to the E-ZPass NY website.  If in doubt, call E-ZPass at 1-800-333-8655 or Tolls by Mail at 1-844-826-8400 for assistance.

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “DMV does not send texts to our customers demanding immediate payment, and our website provides information at the top to help users know it is legitimate.  If you provided personal information through one of these scams, you should review your financial account statements to check for unauthorized charges.”

New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said, “The Thruway Authority is committed to the safety and protection of our customers’ personal information.  The increase of text message scams and other fraudulent attempts by scammers to collect personal data puts consumers at risk.  We strongly encourage everyone to stay informed about these scams to protect their personal data.  When in doubt, customers can contact E-ZPass or Tolls by Mail directly, over the phone or on the official website, before clicking any link sent via text message.”

MTA Bridges and Tunnels President Catherine Sheridan said, “If people receive a text from an unknown number instructing them to pay the Congestion Relief Zone toll, it is not an authorized communication from E-ZPass or the MTA.  Text messaging scams from “NY Toll Services” or other fictitious names are seeking to collect tolls for the Congestion Relief Zone.  We advise you to not access any links sent within the message or engage with the message.”

USDOL Issues Comprehensive Employer Guidance on Long COVID

The United States Department of Labor (USDOL) has issued a comprehensive set of resources that can be accessed below for employers on dealing with Long COVID.

Supporting Employees with Long COVID: A Guide for Employers

The “Supporting Employees with Long COVID” guide from the USDOL-funded Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) and Job Accommodation Network (JAN) addresses the basics of Long COVID, including its intersection with mental health, and common workplace supports for different symptoms.  It also explores employers’ responsibilities to provide reasonable accommodations and answers frequently asked questions about Long COVID and employment, including inquiries related to telework and leave.

Download the guide

Accommodation and Compliance: Long COVID

The Long COVID Accommodation and Compliance webpage from the USDOL-funded Job Accommodation Network (JAN) helps employers and employees understand strategies for supporting workers with Long COVID.  Topics include Long COVID in the context of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), specific accommodation ideas based on limitations or work-related functions, common situations and solutions, and questions to consider when identifying effective accommodations for employees with Long COVID.  Find this and other Long COVID resources from JAN, below:

Long COVID, Disability and Underserved Communities: Recommendations for Employers

The research-to-practice brief “Long COVID, Disability and Underserved Communities” synthesizes an extensive review of documents, literature and data sources, conducted by the USDOL-funded Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) on the impact of Long COVID on employment, with a focus on demographic differences.  It also outlines recommended actions organizations can take to create a supportive and inclusive workplace culture for people with Long COVID, especially those with disabilities who belong to other historically underserved groups.

Read the brief

Long COVID and Disability Accommodations in the Workplace

The policy brief “Long COVID and Disability Accommodations in the Workplace” explores Long COVID’s impact on the workforce and provides examples of policy actions different states are taking to help affected people remain at work or return when ready.  It was developed by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) as part of its involvement in USDOL’s State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED) initiative.

Download the policy brief

Understanding and Addressing the Workplace Challenges Related to Long COVID

The report “Understanding and Addressing the Workplace Challenges Related to Long COVID” summarizes key themes and takeaways from an ePolicyWorks national online dialogue through which members of the public were invited to share their experiences and insights regarding workplace challenges posed by Long COVID.  The dialogue took place during summer 2022 and was hosted by USDOL and its agencies in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Surgeon General.

Download the report

Working with Long COVID

The USDOL-published “Working with Long COVID” fact sheet shares strategies for supporting workers with Long COVID, including accommodations for common symptoms and resources for further guidance and assistance with specific situations.

Download the fact sheet

COVID-19: Long-Term Symptoms

This USDOL motion graphic informs workers with Long COVID that they may be entitled to temporary or long-term supports to help them stay on the job or return to work when ready, and shares where they can find related assistance.

Watch the motion graphic

A Personal Story of Long COVID and Disability Disclosure

In the podcast “A Personal Story of Long COVID and Disability Disclosure,” Pam Bingham, senior program manager for Intuit’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Tech team, shares her personal experience of navigating Long COVID symptoms at work.  The segment was produced by the USDOL-funded Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT) as part of its ongoing “Future of Work” podcast series.

Listen to the podcast

HHS OIG Issues Annual Report on State MFCUs

Per the notice below, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued its annual report on the performance of state Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs).

Medicaid Fraud Control Units Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report (OEI-09-24-00200) 

Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs) investigate and prosecute Medicaid provider fraud and patient abuse or neglect. OIG is the Federal agency that oversees and annually approves federal funding for MFCUs through a recertification process. This new report analyzed the statistical data on annual case outcomes—such as convictions, civil settlements and judgments, and recoveries—that the 53 MFCUs submitted for Fiscal Year 2023.  New York data is as follows:

Outcomes

  • Investigations1 - 556
  • Indicted/Charged - 9
  • Convictions - 8
  • Civil Settlements/Judgments - 28
  • Recoveries2 - $73,204,518

Resources

  • MFCU Expenditures3 - $55,964,293
  • Staff on Board4 - 257

1Investigations are defined as the total number of open investigations at the end of the fiscal year.

2Recoveries are defined as the amount of money that defendants are required to pay as a result of a settlement, judgment, or prefiling settlement in criminal and civil cases and may not reflect actual collections.  Recoveries may involve cases that include participation by other Federal and State agencies.

3MFCU and Medicaid Expenditures include both State and Federal expenditures.

4Staff on Board is defined as the total number of staff employed by the Unit at the end of the fiscal year.

Read the Full Report

View the Statistical Chart

Engage with the Interactive Map

GAO Issues Report on Medicaid Managed Care Service Denials and Appeal Outcomes

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes.  GAO found that federal oversight is limited because it doesn't require states to report on Medicaid managed care service denials or appeal outcomes and there has not been much progress on plans to analyze and make the data publicly available.  To read the GAO report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes, use the first link below.  To read GAO highlights of the report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes, use the second link below.
https://www.gao.gov/assets/d24106627.pdf  (GAO report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes)
https://www.gao.gov/assets/d24106627_high.pdf  (GAO highlights on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes)

CMS Issues Latest Medicare Regulatory Activities Update

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its latest update on its regulatory activities in the Medicare program.  While dentistry is only minimally connected to the Medicare program, Medicare drives the majority of health care policies and insurance reimbursement policies throughout the country.  Therefore, it always pays to keep a close eye on what CMS is doing in Medicare.  To read the latest CMS update on its regulatory activities in Medicare, use the link below.
https://www.cms.gov/training-education/medicare-learning-network/newsletter/2024-03-14-mlnc