News From Our Neighbors

National Grid Warns Upstate New York Customers of Nationwide Utility Scam

Company Reminds Customers to Verify Identity of Company Representatives

National Grid is warning customers about a new, nationwide utility bill scam that claims the federal government will pay customers’ utility bills through a new program. No such program exists, and customers who may be solicited should notify local law enforcement officials to investigate.

Customers have received solicitation through phone calls, door-to-door and online asking them for their social security number and bank routing numbers. Then customers are given fake account numbers to pay their bills. These are fraudulent account numbers and are not accepted by National Grid to pay customer bills.

National Grid reminds its customers that all National Grid employees are required to carry company photo identification. Most, but not all National Grid employees also travel in clearly marked National Grid vehicles when providing service to residences and businesses.

Always ask to see the National Grid company ID badge of anyone who says they are from National Grid. If you are in any doubt as to whether an individual is a National Grid employee, tell the person to wait outside and call the National Grid customer service number to confirm. Customers are urged to contact us at 1-800-642-4272.

A.G. Schneiderman Announces 12 Lawsuits Against “Head Shops” Across the State for Illegally Selling Bath Salts and Other Synthetic Drugs

A.G.’s Undercover Investigation Revealed Albany Head Shop Employees Giving Tutorials On How To Use Dangerous Intoxicants

ALBANY- Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that his office has filed 12 lawsuits across the State of New York against 16 head shop retailers for violating the state’s labeling laws by selling designer drugs, including commonly known synthetics such as “bath salts” and “synthetic marijuana.” 

 The Attorney General’s lawsuit has been filed in 12 counties across the state against 16 store locations, from Buffalo to Long Island, and seeks an immediate end to the sale of mislabeled drugs. In addition, the lawsuit is seeking an accounting of all commodities sold or offered for sale including the name of the product, the manufacturer and/or distributor of the product, a description of the product, the retail price of the product and the number of units sold.

 The following stores are named in the lawsuit:

 Pavilion International in Buffalo and Commack, Look Ah Hookah in Rochester (2 locations), Twisted Headz in Syracuse, Trip on the Wild Side II in Watertown, Rolling Fire Glassworks in Binghamton, Goodfellas Alternative Smoke Shop in Utica, 20 Below/ This and That in Plattsburgh, Shining Star Enterprises in Albany,Giggles in Poughkeepsie, Village Sensations in Nanuet, East Coast Psychedelics in Oceanside and Commack, and Daze Smoke Shop in Baldwin.

Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation to Help Protect Students from Cyberbullying

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation that will help protect students from cyberbullying as well as other forms of harassment, bullying, and discrimination.

The new law is designed to strengthen a school’s response to harassment and bullying through improved reporting, investigation, intervention, training and prevention. The new law requires schools to take action when students experience cyberbullying or other forms of harassment. It ensures that school districts take immediate steps to end harmful behavior, prevent recurrences, and ensure the safety of the targeted students. The legislation also establishes improved training to help teachers and administrators better prevent and respond to bullying and other harmful acts. The new law goes into effect on July 1, 2013.